Repairers of the Breach

 
Repairers of the Breach
(En Español)
Do Not Criticize the Breach, Repair It!
"Thus says the Lord God, 'Woe to the foolish prophets who are following their own spirit and have seen nothing. O Israel, your prophets have been like foxes among ruins. You have not gone up into the breaches, nor did you build the wall around the house of Israel to stand in the battle on the day of the Lord'" (Ezek. 13:3-5).
The Lord is raising up a remnant of true Christ-followers. When they see a need in the church or their community, instead of just finding fault, they ¬go "up into the breaches" and stand in the gap. They are not just critics; they are agents of redemption.
It is easy to find fault and do nothing. Yet when we see a battle raging in another congregation, the fact is that all churches are imperfect. The issue is not whether we can see what is wrong, but will we stand in love and prayer until that which is wrong is made right.
You may be thinking, "You don't understand; I have revelation of the end-time move of God. These churches barely believe in Jesus." Even if a church is weak, the Lord's heart is such that He will not extinguish "a dimly burning wick" (Isa.42:3).
Even if we consider ourselves more spiritual than other churches, that is not a reason to stand aloof from their need. Hebrews tells us that "without any dispute the lesser is blessed by the greater" (Heb. 7:7). If you are truly "greater," without a hint of pride you will seek ways to be a blessing to struggling churches. Your Christlike love will help carry them through their battle.
If we truly have Christ's heart, we will desire to see the entire body of Christ brought forth, not just our local assemblies. We will respect and appreciate the diversity of ways through which Christ reveals Himself in the church. Remember, there are four Gospels, not just one. Each provides a different angle into the nature of Christ. We need the variety of churches to reach the variety of people in our cities.
In truth, Jesus said that the great¬est among us would become the "servant of all" (Mark 9:35). If a church in your city holds to and confesses Jesus as their Lord and Savior, then that church is needed to complete God's work in the city. As you join one another for daily or weekly prayer, you will be blessed and surprised by God's preparation of others. Do not come with an attitude to teach or lead, but to love and serve. In this, God is not looking for leaders but followers of the Lord Jesus Christ.
If we do not adjust to His will, we will be unable to stand against the enemy. Indeed, the day in which we live is not a day of peace; it is a time of war, and a house divided cannot stand. God is gathering us together not only to Him but also against the spiritual forces of wickedness in every region. Therefore, the breaches between us must be filled, the walls built, and we must learn to stand together in the day of the Lord.
You Be the People
You do not have to go to Bible college to find fault with the church. In fact, if you remember, you could find fault with the church even before you were a Christian. However, if you want to be like Christ, you will position yourself to see God's mercy triumph.
We are called to stand "in the gap." What is the "gap"? The gap is the distance between the way things are and the way things could be once they are redeemed. God calls us to stand in that space between realities, to cast down the accuser of the brethren and pray for redemption!

Some of us have cried for years, "Where are those who will lead us into Christ's fullness?" We have assumed that God had others in mind¬. What the Lord is saying, however, is, You be the men and women that others are looking for. You be the peacemakers, the sons and daughters of God that bring healing and order and love to His church.
The responsibility is upon each of us. There is a tremendous job ahead, but the Lord Himself has promised, "Those from among you will rebuild the ancient ruins; you will raise up the age-old founda¬tions; and you will be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of the streets in which to dwell" (Isa. 58:12).
Let us lay our lives down in committed faith believing that in our lifetimes, on this earth and in our com¬munities the corporate church of Jesus Christ will be restored, united and made ready as a bride for her Beloved!