Recently see and heard so many people commenting and criticizing and degrading HIM as a cult movement. I wonder why...But allow me to say something here, cause a lot of time, when these things strikes, people start to feel confused, angry, depressed and start to panic...hope I can help to clear the confusion~ =)
DISUNITY
1st, what is the Devil's greatest weapon? It is through disunity. See when the people start constructing the tower of Babel, they are united, they are one in language, but why do they fail? It is because of disunity through language by God. So the Devil knows that and will try his very best to cause disunity. Disunity is his primary weapon. I came from a hometown church which experience what I call 'The Great Split' where 50% of the people left the church. Why? disunity, misunderstanding and unresolved issues which is buried and spread through gossip. When it happened, people felt so confused, felt so lost, everything was in a total chaos and the Devil rejoice in it and 1 of the church elder (who had become the leader) had such a hard time encouraging the church back up....for months! See how deadly is disunity? I can confirm with you with all confident that hopping churches is not what God wants.
MISCOM
And what causes disunity? misunderstandings. People don't see why people are acting like that. And people don't care to see from other viewpoint. Misunderstanding is deadly, it fuel disunity, it fuel anger which both if combined together is more deadlier. Seeing from different viewpoint is important. Someone might crack and start to piss off on you, but behind it did anyone see the stress that had build up to the point that is unbearable? So lets say Hope churches are forcing people in shepherding, see from a different viewpoint, perhaps the shepherd is inexperience? We must know that through responsibility people mature so the shepherd are also growing in wisdom when they shepherd people with only the intention of seeing people grow in the LORD and understanding HIS way. But perhaps sometimes the methods are too forceful, but what does the Bible say?
If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. -- Matthew 18:15
We must learn how to communicate and understand each other, only then we can find ourselves to respect one another in the love of Christ. An open heart to one another without hiding is important if we want to love one another, understand one another heart and to prevent hurts and anger. I myself testify that this is relevant today. That's why the Bible say don't gossip. Do all things out of love. Think and act out of respect and love which is from God and we will start to see from a larger perspective.
WISDOM AND SUBMISSION
A lot of times, we will say think wisely, think through it with wisdom. But what I realize is, sometimes if not a lot of times, we use this as an excuse for ourselves. Thinking wisely is not thinking logically. Thinking wisely is not thinking in our own comfort zone. We try to deduce or measure people, teachings and things and we got ourselves trapped in our own logical mind which is so easily swayed by the Devil. Devil lovesss to confuse us, mind you. Didn't Jesus thought us to have faith like a little children? pure, joyful and simple? But a lot of times, our mind entangle itself because we see it from our own wisdom and we thought it is wisdom from God. But in the Bible it is said that heavenly wisdom is first of all pure; then peace-loving,considerate,submissive, full of mercy, and good fruit, impartial and sincere. --James 3:17. From all those dissatisfaction I read through those that criticized hope, they already break 3, 1st they allow anger to stain the pure wisdom from God, 2nd, they try to encourage people to leave which cause confusion and no peace, 3rd they are not submissive.
Submissive. I got lots to say about submission. I gone through a lot of time that God reminded me about submission to leaders and authorities. Often, we see ourselves as so great, that our thinking is always correct. But is this not selfish ambition in our hearts which is earthly, unspiritual and demonic (James 3:15). I had experience so many time disapproval from leaders, so many times my leaders says that somewhere I'm wrong. But God reminded me: "Am I not the one that put this leader above you?". We must learn to be submissive, yes, there are times we seriously think we are correct, it is right, but submission to leaders is important. My hometown pastor once told me, you cannot be a good leader unless you learn to submit to your leaders. The leader might not know everything, but he/she is put there for a reason, what they do have a reason and although we can suggest and say, but we should submit to what they are doing. Often times we young people had so much zeal and we think that those older than us are just so cowardly or so reserved. But one thing we must not forget, we may have a greater zeal, but they have a greater experience. If without Moses' guidance, Joshua would not have been the successful general in his campaign.
HOPE CHURCH
How can I be sure Hope of God is not a cult? Because see the direction they are heading. They might be very radical, but see that they are heading back to the starting of the churches. The Acts churches. Acts churches are guided by the Holy Spirit, not man. They are loving to each other in faith. And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. (Acts 2:42) Everyday they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the LORD added to their number daily those who were being saved. (Acts 2:46-47).
Now compare the Acts churches with Hope. Hope church is guided by the Holy Spirit, I see greater love in hope church members than any other churches. We follow the teaching of the apostles, pastors and leaders (which is the HIM FoF, DMS, WFL etc etc), we fellowship hardcore, and notice the everyday the continued to meet together in the temple courts? See how on fire they are and see how unusually on fire Hope church members are. And I know Hope church emphasize a lot on prayer and see how some of us are so mad for God everyday. And most importantly, see how God had added to Hope's member those who were being saved. Thus by their fruits you will recognize them (Matthew 7:20 on recognizing true and false prophet). But there is also the sad side. Those who oppose the Apostles of the Acts churches are mostly from the Jews, people who understand the laws, people who are suppose to be chosen by God. Why? because they are not willing to accept. They are hardened and prideful enough to not to change. And sadly, same situation goes to Hope church, mostly criticized by fellow believers, who are not matured enough to accept discipline which comes from God (He who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever heeds correction gains understanding. -- Proverbs 15:32). Don't narrow our vision and the ability to change that is from God. When God bring changes, we must be discerning but yet matured enough to obey. Simple saying, don't be trapped in our own narrow mindset.
