Contending for the faith | Making Disciples | Equipping the Saints for Ministry

Q: I am very concerned over the teachings of Roy Sauzek. He has a ministry called “Take Heart” which seems to have a powerful influence over seeking Christians. If you can give any insight into his teachings, it would be very much appreciated.”

 A: Browsing his Website, it appears as if he is a Manifest Son of God. One of the major earmarks of these individuals is that they have been given some “new revelation” from God that everyone must adhere to and pursue if they are going to have greater spiritual enlightenment, recognition or power in their spiritual lives. However, there is no need for such revelation, because God has given us all the revelation we need in His Written Word and through His Son (Hebrews, chapters 1-2).

        Granted, we can have a greater unveiling of Jesus by the Spirit as the Apostle John did in Revelation 1, but it will not be a new revelation. A good way to test any revelation is whether it is man-centered or Christ-centered. Heretical revelation puts the burden on man to somehow strive, perform, or work towards obtaining greater spiritual awareness, where Christ-centered revelation is simply gaining a greater spiritual awareness of who Jesus is, desires to be, and can be in our lives through the leading or unveiling of the Holy Spirit. Clearly, Mr. Sauzek’s revelation has put the burden on people to discover greater spiritual awareness of themselves in order to receive more from God. As you can see it is a subtle transfer of emphasis from Christ to man.

          One of the reasons people get caught up with these “so-called” revelations is because they do not really know their position or place in Christ. Because of Christ’s work on the cross, believers are placed in their different positions, with their different gifts and callings by the Holy Spirit according to the plan of the Father. A good example of this is that we each are personally placed in the Body of Christ for the purpose of edification of the whole Body, as well as having been seated positionally in high places in Christ (Ephesians 2:6; 1 Corinthians 12:11-19). We all equally have the same importance in the Body in relationship to its working. As believers we do not work for these positions, but we do have a responsibility to understand what it means to have a right standing with God in these places. Right standing involves active faith that obeys what is right and honorable to God.

          As far as being part of the bride of Christ, there is a debate about whether the Church or Israel is the bride. However, because of Ephesians 5, I believe godly marriage serves as an example of Christ’s relationship with the Church, thereby, positionally making the Church or Body the espoused bride of Christ, waiting for His return to be united with Him forever. However, the Holy Spirit is the One who searches out those who are part of the Bride through conviction of sin, the contrast of righteousness, and the reproof of judgment, the Father draws such people to His Son, and Jesus invites them to come to Him (John 6:44; 7:37-39; 16:7-13). Once again, man does not have a part in establishing his position or place in the Bride other than accepting the invitation by faith to come (Revelation 22:16-19).

          As believers, we should not be caught up with obtaining greater positions or enlightenment in God’s kingdom. Keep in mind position points to the type of relationship that must be established and enlightenment points to the type of light we walk in. Relationship points to our type of standing before God, and we must walk in the light or according to the life of Christ in us. The Apostle Paul’s desire was to gain Christ in a greater measure in Philippians 3. We also know a humble servant is considered the greatest in the kingdom of God, and if we want more of God, we simply ask Him for more of His Spirit (Matthew 20:25-28; Luke 11:9-13). I have discovered a long time ago that wherever man is striving for the things of God, the simplicity of Christ has been complicated by man in some perverted way (2 Corinthians 2-14).

          Many sincere people are truly seeking for something, but what they really desire is a greater or more fulfilling relationship with God like Abraham had. I remember a person once stated that my desire to be deemed a faithful servant by Christ was honorable, but the Lord wanted to call me “friend.” Abraham was a friend of God because of his faith, not because of striving or possessing some special enlightenment or position. After all, friendship is based on an intimate relationship. Jesus stated in John 15:13-15 that He desires to call us friends, for a servant does not have the type of relationship where He can truly share the matters of the throne of His kingdom with them.

          I hope this answers your question, and gives you some insight into how you can recognize what some people are really after in their relationship with the Lord.

          God bless you in your pursuit for unfeigned truth.