The ministry of Bethel Colony of Mercy is to sanctify the men God brings here. This is a process of determining what the need of each student is. Many have had an experience with Christ in their past but through their negligence or recklessness they are totally disarmed by a habitual ungodly mind-set and behavior. They have been taken captive by the devil to do his will (II Timothy 2:26)….and they pay the price.
In Joshua chapter 7, we read of the sin of Achan who violated God’s commandment by coveting and obtaining those things from the city of Jericho which were forbidden. We read in Joshua that Achan took and hid a beautiful Babylonian garment that was an accursed thing and (according to God’s instructions) was to be destroyed. God had warned the people of Israel in Joshua 6:17; “…by all means abstain from the accursed things lest you become accursed when you take of the accursed things and make the camp of Israel a curse and trouble it.”
As a result of Achan’s disobedience the nation of Israel was defeated by the people of Ai who were few in number. And God spoke to Joshua concerning the defeat and said to him; “Get up, sanctify the people. There is an accursed thing in your midst; you cannot stand before your enemies until you take away the accursed thing among you.”
Bethel’s ministry has been to point out the accursed thing that has caused much sorrow and defeat in the lives of the students. We see multitudes in bondage to their particular lust, whether it be alcohol, crack, cocaine, Oxycontin, Xanax, pain killers, pot, heroin, or something else. For, you see, this accursed thing brings trouble; not only to themselves but to those all around them, especially their families. You that have experienced the latter sadly understand the heartache. But we have a Savior who is able to save to the uttermost.
And those students who are broken, desperate, ready to take wise counsel will be set free. The strongholds are mighty, of which substance abuse is just one of many others that have to be addressed. But through the ministry of deliverance, many who have been enslaved to their addictions are now free, no longer lusting after the accursed things. And families are now having hope again that their dad, husband or son is once again the person he used to be. For the power of the gospel has done its work. “If the Son shall set you free, you shall be free indeed.” John 8:36