We Love the Lord’s House, But We Cannot Abide the Assembly of the Wicked
UPDATE Sept 2021: I have come to believe that Jeff Crippen does not practise what he preaches. He vilely persecuted an abuse victim and spiritually abused many other people in the Tillamook congregation. Go here to read the evidence. Jeff has not gone to the people that he spiritually and emotionally abused. He has not apologised to them, let alone asked for their forgiveness.
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This is an amazing Psalm. Amazing in its content and amazing in its timelessness. This Psalm serves as a huge encouragement to me, and so it will for you. We who have experienced abuse and injustice from people who claim to be Christians have been impelled by Christ’s Spirit to embrace David’s declaration in vss 4-7. We are done sitting with men of falsehood and we refuse to consort with hypocrites. We hate places where Christ is professed but which are nothing more than the assembly of evildoers and we will not sit with them.
In fact, though many of us are unable to be in a local church, we can say more than anyone else, “we love the habitation of the Lord’s house, the place where His glory dwells.” Many times that glorious habitation is not in a group of people on a street corner in a building, but in the true temple of the Lord – His true flock wherever it gathers. So take heart this Lord’s Day and hear the Word of God spoken through King David:
Psa 26:1-12 Of David. Vindicate me, O LORD, for I have walked in my integrity, and I have trusted in the LORD without wavering. (2) Prove me, O LORD, and try me; test my heart and my mind. (3) For your steadfast love is before my eyes, and I walk in your faithfulness.
(4) I do not sit with men of falsehood, nor do I consort with hypocrites. (5) I hate the assembly of evildoers, and I will not sit with the wicked. (6) I wash my hands in innocence and go around your altar, O LORD, (7) proclaiming thanksgiving aloud, and telling all your wondrous deeds.
(8) O LORD, I love the habitation of your house and the place where your glory dwells. (9) Do not sweep my soul away with sinners, nor my life with bloodthirsty men, (10) in whose hands are evil devices, and whose right hands are full of bribes. (11) But as for me, I shall walk in my integrity; redeem me, and be gracious to me. (12) My foot stands on level ground; in the great assembly I will bless the LORD.
- Posted in: Supporting victims
- Tagged: false Christians, hope, Jeff Crippen
Thank you Pastor Jeff! I agree this is truly encouraging and timeless…actually very timely for me and a source of strength besides encouraging.
Jeff,
Thank you for your concern, and desire to minister to the wounded scattered flocks of the Lord.
How great a need there is for such a minister.
AMEN
We are done sitting with men of falsehood and refuse to consort with hypocrites. Yes, yes, yes! That’s why I decided not to go to my church on the weekend. I’m refusing to be a part of something called church when they are just playing a game, trying to look good and protect their reputation. It shuts its eyes to the cries of the poor and abused while claiming to reach out to the lost. Yeah, I’m done.
Reblogged this on Speakingtruthinlove's Blog [Internet Archive link].
This comment was sent in by one of our Anons but I accidentally deleted it so am putting it here under my own gravatar.
Here is an excerpt from a chapter in CS Lewis’ book “Reflection on the Psalms”. It is called Connivance and based on Psalm 26.
Quite true. I do not feel good enough to take on these people.