From Formula To Relationship
Submitted by Clay Sikes
Like so many in the Body of Christ, I was caught up in the prosperity message and much of what the Word of Faith teachings profess. I combined basic Word of Faith teachings with the prosperity message and learned to operate my faith in my faith. At one point I had great faith in my faith, watching my financial condition change to the tune of millions of dollars: I was simply amazed at me, and my great faith, even developing pride in the faith I HAD EARNED through my arduous efforts. As a result of these teachings, I would often quote the same scripture hundreds of times, posting it on every available edifice so as to catch my eye and remind me to quote it again and again. Ritualistically, I, like other of my Christian contemporaries, would run around asking, “Have you done your confessions today?” We were taught when asked, “always tell people you are blessed!” This is the principle of “calling those things that be not as though they were.” “Speak the desired result,” we were taught. “Whatever you need whenever you need it, simply find out what the Bible says and begin to say it and you can have it.”
An excitement sweeps across the Body of Christ today with messages of how WE can create enormous power and results by practicing certain principles and adhering to laws of the spirit. Many well known leaders teach that the laws of God will work for anyone who will apply them. They graphically state that just as the laws of gravity will work for anyone who puts the law into action, so too will the laws of the spirit work for any who apply them. The laws of prosperity and blessing consume much of what is commonly called ‘Christian TV.’ The television scene is a familiar one: The evangelist dramatically struts across the stage and screams in an emotional and theatrical way, “It is MY time, to get MY stuff, from MY God!” “Anyone who gives to God (MY MINISTRY) binds God to give back to them. It is the law of God and God has to obey His own laws.” There are others who promise us a 30, 60, or 100 fold return on our giving. This gospel seemed to be a great deal about ME and I liked it!
As I recall, not many of my crowd ever really walked in this ‘magic kingdom’ except the TV and Tape teachers who receive big from this teaching. When, if ever, I had the opportunity to directly ask them questions, I was told that if things were not happening for me, it was because I hadn’t developed enough faith for it yet, or, as it related to money issues, I hadn’t given enough. I was told there are tapes or books written on any subject; just invest in them and learn what you need to learn for your specific situation. In fact, you can pick out tapes that fit your particular situation and get your problems straightened right out! This was a pretty good gospel I thought, and best of all, I am still the captain of my own ship and still control my own destiny as I had previously done in the world.
Essentially, from what I learned I could take any need, find appropriate scripture that addressed my particular situation, quote it enough to develop faith for it and soon I would have the desired result. Because my teachers were revered by most within the Charismatic and Pentecostal circles to which I belonged, I never thought to question these wonderful formulas for the success I sought?
After finding some initial success with formulas, particularly in the “giving to get God to move on my behalf arena,” I was hooked. Nobody could tell me it didn’t work. I had found the money tree, and all I had to do was give large sums of money and large sums of money would come rushing back to me. For a season I experienced what appeared to be supernatural increase and the blessing and favor of God, yet as suddenly as it started, it stopped!
Suddenly my doctrine and theology was on the line. All I had believed to be God was at stake and besides, all I have ever heard since being a Christian was my entitlement to be blessed, walk in the blessing, and create blessings for myself by obeying formulas. I am guilty of winning many to the Lord based on this premise alone, yet when adversity struck, my formulas and principles were not working, and worse yet, producing chaos in my life and the lives of those who had a formula based and blessing mind set. Eventually this blessing formula for salvation and deliverance found its mark on me, and my tribulations were leaving me NO spiritual leg to stand on. In short, I had no real relationship with the Lord.
Suddenly, I was forced to go to God and cry out to Him for my needs. My formulas were no longer working and now my faith in my faith had been destroyed. “Perhaps you are in some hidden sin that you have not confessed,” they pointed out. “Maybe you have been disobedient to the specific amounts God has told you to give” it was suggested. I began quoting scriptures, binding the devil and all the other methods I had been taught. As I faced a mountain of financial and other problems, I cried out to God and asked Him in a sad country song sounding way, “Why me Lord?” I thought I was doing everything perfect. “Look how much money I have given to your causes Lord, how could you stop me so dead in my tracks so as to not even have money for basics?”
His answer was shocking and positively thought provoking. He said, “The reason for your problems is MY MERCY operating in your life.” At first, to be honest, I could not fathom how God could allow such horribly embarrassing and totally inconvenient things to happen to me at almost 50 years of age with a 125 employees, a wife, teenage son, and new baby girl to care for. After all, I had been a good student of the word of faith teachings, learned all the prosperity message backwards and forwards, even serving on the Board of Directors of one of the nation’s largest and most successful ministries with many well known ministers and TV evangelist.
Suddenly, in God’s great mercy, He revealed to me that my entire relationship was based upon formulas and the desire to be blessed. Tribulation was revealing that I had no real relationship with the Lord; in fact, my relationship was with laws and formulas. The fire was speaking volumes to me: CIRCUMSTANCES DO NOT MAKE THE MAN, THEY REVEAL HIM TO HIMSELF.
The fire speaks, and now I knew the “what” – I had no real relationship with the Lord! The “why” also became obvious – God was transforming me from one who operates by laws, to one who operates by relationship. As the fires continue, even now, my relationship continues to develop and evolve. My trust for and obedience to God grows with each passing day. Trials are no longer viewed with fear and dread, as I am deepened in my honest and sincere love for God and the desire for Him to use me as He sees fit. I am no longer obsessed with getting blessed – I am obsessed with being a blessing and fulfilling my destiny and purpose!
I still quote scripture and speak into various circumstances in my life, but only as I am led of the Spirit of God, not the circumstances I face. Now, unlike before, when I speak as God has directed, things happen, often immediately. I have learned that this earthly visit is not about me - it is about him. God is not about improving me – He is about removing me. “Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone, BUT IF IT DIE, it bringeth forth much fruit” (John 12:24). My death is producing His life; what a bargain. No longer am I captain of my own ship – I am His for whatever He desires.
When the fire comes, I lean into and rest in Him. I take solace in the fact “that nothing shall by any means harm me (Luke 10:19). His deliverance is sure and my trust grows with each storm, my faith having been replaced with His faith. My self-righteousness replaced the righteousness obtained for me on the cross.
I now face tests to see if I will meet my needs because I can, or will I bind myself to the alter and await God’s provision. My formulas have been replaced by a loving relationship as I begin to see and touch my destiny and purpose.
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