I watched with sadness as the aging pastor pleaded guilty in a court of law to lying and other indiscretions. In recent times many negative stories about pastors have hit the media, sending shockwaves through the body of Christ. Why is all of this happening? As in everything, the word of God holds the answers.
"For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God; and if it first begin at us; what shall the end be of them that obey mot the gospel of God? And if the righteous scarely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?" (1 Peter 4:17-18).
Why is God judging His house?
"Let no man deceive you by any means; for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;"(2 Thessalonians 2:3). That day refers to the coming of Christ in glory to receive His church. A church that is to be "holy and without blemish" Ephesians 5:27.
Is that what we are seeing in the body of Christ today? Are we showing the world the way to holiness, or are we simply bending over backwards to accommodate the world so we can have large congregations. Churches today are larger than they have ever been, yet sin and lawlessness still abound, and in some cases, emanate from the top.
What can the righteous do when we observe these things?
"But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy" (1 Peter 15-16). It does not matter what we see our leaders doing. We are called to be holy, because one day each of us has to give an account to God for the way we have lived our lives.
Also, we are to "forsake not the assembling of ourselves together" as the Bible has commanded us. Many people use what they see in the media as an excuse for not going to church, however we do need that Christian fellowship, as well as the covering of a godly pastor.
"A just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again ..." We have to remember that man will always disappoint us. There are many stories of men in the Bible who fell. Great men of God like David and Solomon succumbed to temptation. Even Peter, who walked with Jesus Christ, fell when he denied the Lord. But God forgave them, therefore we, too, must forgive and not be judgmental.
"Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted" (Galatians 6:1). I want to emphasize "in the spirit of meekness". Not in a holier than thou attitude, but meekly, lovingly, knowing that we, too, can be in the same position if we are not careful and seek God's presence daily.
So let's pray for our falling and fallen angels that God in His mercy will restore them to a position of grace. Let's pray for those who are standing firm that they may not fall. And let's pray for ourselves that we may remain faithful to God's call on our lives, so that when we stand before Him we may hear the words "Well done thou good and faithful servant" (Matthew 25:21).
1 comment:
This is so good, Angela! We like to condemn people who fall from high places, but we're all just as susceptible to sin as they are. Perhaps that's one reason why it makes us so uncomfortable! I agree with every point you make here; it's all scriptural. Excellent thoughts, well expressed.
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