Spiritual Insanity
Every man called to the ministry of the gospel of Jesus Christ receives a charge. I do not refer to the ostentation of human ritual that often accompanies the ordination process, but rather a most solemn transaction that takes place in the court of Heaven. The nature of this charge is explicitly presented to us in the word of the apostle Paul to his beloved disciple in the faith, Timothy: "I charge you before God and the Lord Jesus Christ and the elect angels that you observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing with partiality." 1 Timothy 5:21
In this instance, the Apostle Paul delivers the charge to Timothy, but I believe God does not stop there. I believe in the heart of every person called to service, the voice of God speaks clearly in the quiet place with solemn warning: "The standard for you is higher."
James confirms this important principle: "My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment." James 3:1
The apostle Paul himself had a keen sense of the incredibly high stakes. Paul utters in I Corinthians 9:27, what is arguably the gravest admonition possible for any servant of Jesus Christ: "But I discipline my body, and bring it into subjection, lest after I have preached to others, I myself should be disqualified" 1 Corinthians 9:27
I do not for one minute believe the apostle is engaging in speculative rhetoric. He understood an awesome reality- it was entirely possible for someone who had preached to others to become disqualified.
I would like to speak personally to George Geftakys, and the men associated with him in ministry. I speak not only as one to whom this ministry has been preached (I was baptized by George Geftakys), I speak also as one who has heard and responded to God’s call to serve Him.
Do you remember your charge?
My own stern admonition came from Zechariah 3 with the inevitable terms of His approval cited in verse 7. I will never forget that night!
What have you done with the charge delivered to you before God and the Lord Jesus Christ and the elect angels? Again I sincerely ask: What have you done with your charge?
As the leader of this ministry, for many years your authority was essentially unchallenged. You had the untrammeled opportunity, to positively influence for time and eternity, those who observed your Godly conduct and faithful example. There were times as I sat under your ministry, that I would have followed you to the gates of Hades itself.
What have you done with your charge?
The facts that have come to light regarding decisions made with your knowledge and approval strike at the heart of the integrity of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. How could any true servant of Jesus Christ, knowing the God with whom we have to do, allow and even sanction such ungodly and unholy conduct? The cause of Christ has suffered deep shame and reproach because of this, and the faith of many has been compromised.
I believe your ministry has been weighed in the balances and found wanting. Your continuing pretension to handle holy things is unseemly and speaks of an unrepentant and haughty spirit. It is indeed akin to a kind of spiritual insanity.
I appeal to you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead. Accept His judgment of your stewardship. You have been disqualified.
Verne Carty
