08/31/2020
Are there those among us who seek a place of power and leadership in the Church as a means of acquiring glory? They may be the wealthy who donate their money, or the poor their time, each meant to achieve personal recognition and honor for themselves, or the scholars who teach outside the Word to elevate themselves. How do we discern those who step between God, and His children? Can we identify the wolves who falsely claim His calling, or those who were once rightfully called but have now been spoiled by their association with the world?
“for they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God.”
John 12:43 ESV
Not a generation goes by without at least one religious leader of note being exposed as a crook, an adulterer, or the perpetrator of some other vile sin. In the past days this has proven to be true again as accusations have surfaced against Jerry Falwell Jr., and his wife, for sexual sins that would make a Sodomite blush... and each time this happens the Church suffers, reels, and the fallen world rejoices in its victory. Each time a Christian leader falls we see a man who God once blessed, but who then grew unchecked by the Church to think that he was above sin, too valuable to the faith to be punished, and who thought that he shone like Christ Himself... His power on earth had either superseded his fear of God, or somewhere along the line he just lost his belief that God’s Word is truth for all men... even those that God once used. We are shocked when these men and women fall, but this is nothing new, there are modern day Samsons in the world today who God withdraws from.
“And she said, “The Philistines are upon you, Samson!” And he awoke from his sleep and said, “I will go out as at other times and shake myself free.” But he did not know that the Lord had left him. And the Philistines seized him and gouged out his eyes and brought him down to Gaza and bound him with bronze shackles. And he ground at the mill in the prison.”
Judges 16:20-21 ESV
No man is above God, and every man will be judged. Even those of seemingly great faith, and power within the Church, will stand in judgement, and can hear these words...
“On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’”
Matthew 7:22-23 ESV
So how do we discern the wolves among us? How do we identify the false prophets, and protect ourselves against men who appear to be of God, but are false teachers, preachers, and followers of Christ? Paul tells us to look at these things...
“If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain.
for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world.
But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.”
1 Timothy 6:3-5, 7, 9-10 ESV
The Word of God serves as our ultimate guide to righteousness, and helps us see the righteous as well. Paul gives us these evidences that convict churches as well as men and women, and they can serve as warnings in our own lives too. Hold your faith, and your desires up against the Word of God, and cut away all those things that this pattern does not overlay... in this way only righteousness and holiness remain.
Prayer:
Father, thank you for your Holy Word that serves as my template of faith, and which teaches me to live my life for you in righteousness, and to identify those things, teachings, and people, in the world that are either pleasing, or contrary, to you. Protect me Lord against those who appear to be of faith, but are wolves in sheep’s clothing. Help me in discernment so that I can defend my faith, and guard the Church against the wiles of the sinful world we are afloat in. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who leads us by your Word, your Son Jesus, and your Holy Spirit. Be with us always as we walk the narrow road of righteousness. Praised be your name as you guide our steps between the stumbling blocks that the world casts before us. You are kind, and good Father, and your hand is comforting; keep it upon us, and correct us gently in our journey of faith so that we never find that you have left us to our own devices as the book of Judges says you did Samson. Your grace is sufficient for us, and we celebrate your glory in all things. Holy Spirit come, and be with us all our days. Jesus come quickly, and draw us up to be with you before the Father; washed pure in your blood as we stand in judgement. Father, see us as you see your Son Jesus because we are without worthiness if He is not what you see when you look at us. Take us in your hand Father, and pronounce us to be heirs, and joint heirs, with Christ... then invite us to dine eternally in your house where your table is set and blessed forever.
Rich Forbes