July 22, 2021
“Her priests have violated My law and profaned My holy things; they have not distinguished between the holy and unholy, nor have they made known the difference between the unclean and the clean; and they have hidden their eyes from My Sabbaths, so that I am profaned among them.” Ezekiel 22:26
Strong, godly leadership is essential in the collective life of God’s people. This is by God’s design. He has made us social beings. There is no substitute for true fellowship within the community of faith. Throughout Biblical history, we find individuals who chose to love and obey God. Their obedience elevated them to positions of excellent leadership and have ushered blessings into the lives of countless people who were led toward God, far beyond the imaginations of Noah, Abraham, Joseph, Moses, and many others including New Testament leaders. Today’s church leaders have a deep sense of thankfulness towards God and deep affection for His faithful shepherds in the past who “swam against the current” to align themselves with God’s instructions. Clearly His Spirit strengthened and guided them. In every age and stage, faithful leadership affects many lives for God’s kingdom and for His glory. Let us each give thanks for our pastors and lay leaders who honor God’s law, making clear distinctions between right and wrong, holy and unholy, clean and unclean. Everyone is free to choose for themselves, but the influence of godly leadership is priceless beyond measure.
We also see a pattern throughout history of God’s people collectively abandoning His truths. Over and over we see God patiently calling individuals—all who will listen—to “come out” of the masses who have gone astray. We are compared to sheep because one straying sheep is too often followed by others. The default mode of sinful human nature is to wander away from the faith, often in search of worldly gains, for which they have pierced themselves through with many sorrows (1 Timothy 6:10). This can apply to leaders and followers. Oh beloved, feel the pain in God’s heart!
It is noteworthy in the historical record that the first thing erring people do is exert influence over others to join the rebellion (see Genesis 3:6). Everyone longs for approval; and it is so easy to gain the approval of others, especially if they have no intention or inclination to hold in highest esteem the authority of God’s Word.
And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; . . . who, knowing the righteous judgement of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves. Romans 1:28,32; 14:22b
In these last days, we are seeing unprecedented apostasy. According to Jesus, it will only get worse before His return. But God is saving people individually, calling out anyone who will listen. He is ready to embrace as His own every repentant soul who desires to turn away from sin. God’s acceptance is the only approval we need. As the Reformation continues, more & more people will hear the gospel, fully restored. A counterbalance to the unprecedented apostasy in these last days is the fact of unprecedented access to the Bible. Praise God for faithful individuals who will check out the claims of the Creator upon their lives. And praise Him for pastors who study the whole of God’s Word and present the everlasting gospel (Revelation 14:6) to all the nations!
For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God. Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. Acts 20:28
And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come. Matthew 24:14