BORROWED AXES

MADE-IN-HELL GOODS (2)

“And the sons of the prophets said unto Elisha, Behold now, the place where we dwell with thee is too strait for us. But as one was felling a beam, the axe head fell into the water: and he cried, and said, Alas, master! for it was borrowed” (2 Kings 6:1, 5).

Let us examine closely in critical study what happened here as God opens our eyes to the trend of Christianity the “new age” church is adopting. Firstly, I ask; ‘What was the source of the axe in the scripture above?’ It was borrowed! And where was it borrowed from? What was the limitation and effect of attempting to use a borrowed axe for God’s work? These are many questions the Lord shall be opening our eyes to in this brief teaching. And then again, why should a son of the prophet (a man of God in our days) borrow an axe for God’s work? I thought the word of God says He has made us His battle axes? “Thou art my battle axe and weapons of war: for with thee will I break in pieces the nations, and with thee will I destroy kingdoms” (Jer. 51:12).

It all began with a desire to grow and expand.

“And the sons of the prophets said unto Elisha, Behold now, the place where we dwell with thee is too strait for us. Let us go, we pray thee, unto Jordan, and take thence every man a beam, and let us make us a place there, where we may dwell.” (2 Kings 6:1. 2)

It was not a bad concept at all. God also desired the church to grow as more people are being saved and added to the fold. You will agree with me that Christianity has grown over the years with much people being added to the Lord. Many ministries, churches, outreaches have sprang up, and this in itself is a manifestation of covenant.

“In those days it shall come to pass, that ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations, even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you: for we have heard that God is with you” (Zach. 8:23).

The earth is ‘being filled with the knowledge of the glory of God’ like Habakkuk prophesied (Habbakuk 2:14).

Now, the enemy cannot stop the church from expanding. The church ever marches on and the gates of hell are predestined never to overcome. Since the enemy cannot stop the church from expanding, he switched strategy, and this is where he made head-way. And what is this strategy? BORROWED AXES!

And with this, we can see answers to the questions poised above? Brethren, look around and you will see that many of what is being employed today to “drive” the work of God are borrowed axes. These borrowed axes include borrowed (spiritual) powers employed by some to do the work of God. These powers were manufactured in Hell, and have been borrowed by many to work the work of God.

There are borrowed lifestyles, borrowed practices, borrowed dressings and dress-styles, borrowed hairstyles, borrowed strategies, etc, all borrowed from the world and had their origin in Hell: Made-In-Hell.

This is the source of the strange gospel of prosperity without its foundation in holiness. This is the source of many worldly virtues that have been brought into the church all in the name of liberty. Unfortunately, these borrowed axes have replaced God’s original battle axe of holiness, righteousness, balanced gospel, revival, etc. These latter are the original battle axes of the Lord, but have been replaced by strange axes: prosperity seminars replacing revival meetings and prayer meetings, and youth picnics replacing youth meetings and retreats.

No one talks about Sunday schools anymore...they seem to have become obsolete and old-fashioned. We claim we are now wiser and better Christians even when it is obvious we have forsaken the Old Landmark.

But the results are coming and everything looks flashy, and these further deceive us to think we are on the right path. We often forget that “flashiness” has never been a fruit of the Spirit, and that the devil himself is a “flashy old man” who disguises like an angel of light. But alas, the flashy messages, flashy testimonies (without integrity), flashy programs, flashy TV and radio adverts, flashy billboards, etc, will not open the gates of Heaven...only a life lived by the will of God will.

Rick Joyner said, in the book, The Final Quest, '...darkness is growing very great on the earth; unfortunately only very few people can see vision'!

It is shocking the rate at which faith and grace has been “modernized” and worse still, we claim it is a new revelation of truth we have discovered.

And one thing about the borrowed axe is that it sank deep. The same way, these borrowed axes (lifestyles) have so seamlessly fitted into the church pattern and programs so much so that we now live with them as normal things. It does not matter what anyone says, it is God’s counsel that prevails. Where is the source of tattooing among Christians today? How about politics in the church? The funky and celebrity hairstyles and dressings even among ministers...worldly music and dances in the church...all these are Made-In-Hell and borrowed by the church. Sadly, Hell now loans out stuff to the church. We were supposed to win the world to God, but it seems like the world is winning us over to its god, satan.

Today there is politics in the church and ably backed up scriptural...but I ask, in ‘Heaven, where God dwells, is there politics?’ NO. There is politics in the world, and even the church in its choices of leadership and posting of ministers to places of assignments adopt political sentiments premised on earthly connections. Mentorship has now become ‘spiritual godfatherism’; in this way many have taken the place of God in the hearts of men. Borrowed axes!  

Finally brethren, borrowed axes (strategies) may achieve some result. The son of the prophet was achieving result until problem arose. The same way, though these modernized trends of Christianity may be getting results, but what will matter in eternity are not results but rewards.

“And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be” (Rev. 22:12).

Everyone appears to be working, some with borrowed axes, and yet others with the Lord’s battle axes...but the time is coming when every man’s work shall be tried, and while some axe head will float, some will sink...and certainly borrowed axes will sink. May our work not be in vain. May God in His grace and mercy count me, my family, and you worthy of His eternal glory. Oh Lord, help even me, that after preaching the gospel, I won’t be a castaway in Jesus’ name. Amen.