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HOMELESS IN YOUR CITY?

Copyright © Jules Dervaes

January 7, 2011

A compilation of comments from discussions with Jules Dervaes

When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth? (Luke 18:8b, NIV)

According to the latest “re-assurance”1 from the United Church of God leadership, “they recognize the faith…that is being produced [in the church members].”

The signs:

  • “Selfless service and commitment to Jesus Christ”
  • Signatures on a card in support of the Council of Elders
  • Letters and calls of support

The real question is, Would Christ recognize the above as evidence of “faith”? The Christ who told the person who wanted to follow him that, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head” (Matthew 8:20; Luke 9:58, NIV).

The UCG leadership, on the other hand, speaks of each member having “a place to worship God each Sabbath—with faithful ministers to serve you.” And, to emphasize that special offer, they write again of their congregations having “a peaceful and spiritually nourishing home in which to worship on each Sabbath and Holy Day.”

The status quo, “stability,” will be maintained; the flock will continue to be “protected,” that is, made comfortable. No need to fret about uncertainty. A full smorgasbord of spiritual delicacies is spread before them. No need to learn the survival skills of foraging and hunting for one’s own and one’s family’s spiritual nourishment. No need to risk not having a place to go,2 being HOMELESS.3 No need to grow up, become mature, take responsibility for one’s own salvation.

No, the church’s leadership “will continue to provide” so that the members have :

  • A place to worship
  • Multiple feast sites
  • Youth camps
  • Bible Center
  • Literature—in print and online
  • Television and online video

And, thus, they can “be comforted.”

“As we prepare to advance, what are we to do as members?” Yes, indeed, what is there left to do? The UCG leadership maintains that the work is in television, printed publications and online. But, in what way is the faith of the individual member being developed in his or her daily life? How and where does the individual memberlabor to begin the physical Kingdom of God on this earth ”?4

The “open door” (Revelation 3:8) of an organization, a team, is not necessarily the open door for the individual, just as the “place of safety” (Revelation 3:10)  is not for “an entire church at large.”5 An individual “cannot qualify for the Kingdom VIA THE TEAM.”6

What happens if “a real demonstration of faith by you personally, by you openly7 means following Christ and risking homelessness for a season,8 even for many years, so that you experience what it truly means to depend on God as you work and train now for his coming Kingdom?

NOTES

1 “Letter to Ministers and Members,” December 23, 2010, from Melvin Rhodes and Dennis Luker, United Church of God, an International Association.
2 “Preface: September 21, 1998,” The Hidden Years, by Jules Dervaes.
3 “Christianity: Its Awful , Primitive Roots,” by Jules Dervaes, August 20, 2002.
4 “Lollipops,” by Jules Dervaes, October 9, 2008.
5 “A Special Pentecost Letter: June 6, 1989” in The Hidden Years, by Jules Dervaes, page 270.
6 “A Special Pentecost Letter,” page 274.
7 “Lollipops.”
8 “Dear Friends Letter: May 3, 1988” in The Hidden Years, by Jules Dervaes, pages 245-247.

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