What it takes to teach
I have met many Christians who yearn for God to use them to display His power and make Him known. Yet only a few end up achieving this aspiration.
This aspiration may rise within, from the hunger for God within, or after seeing what the life of those God has actually used, looks like. The glamour, the fame and the glory. The problem is analyzing the picture of these great men from only the glorious side. Missing the most crucial part, the work they put in to manifest the glory of God on the outside.
Beyond this outside glamour, comes the need for one to practice what they preach. To walk the talk. Not just as mere instruments of God, but as ring leaders.
Many young and perverted Christians do not know the weight of the cross that lies behind being used by God. Consider Paul, would you wish to ever exchange your life for his? Or let me go a little further. Would you be willing to exchange your life with Joseph?
The two figures in question are quite the picture if one is to think of glory from God. They indeed manifested it during their lifetimes.
The teachers of our era
That aside, many pompous religious leaders and prominent church leaders have diverted from the way of the cross, the price required to contain God’s holiness. We are in an era where pastors can’t teach repentance and anything concerning holiness. They can’t bring themselves to convict people from fornication and adultery because they themselves are captive to these very vices. In their continual failure to keep their lives in line with God’s word. They have decided to drift from the truth to appeasing the crowd through popularity. Obviously there is no godliness in such. Since the power and presence of the Lord has departed from their churches, they have mechanized new tactics to keep the crowd. These tactics have not only left many immature Christians but also struggling ones, worse than they were before.
Instead of emphasizing repentance they are crucifying grace. From looking at it as a way of redemption but as a license to sin. From calling out sin in church to preaching pleasant messages. The gospel is good, but what good is it if it can’t turn a person away from sin? Is that still in the will of God?
The verdict for such teachings
If you or any other person reading this is this kind of leader or person who only wants to teach or listen to self soothing messages, know this.
6 “But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea. 7 Woe to the world because of [a]offenses! For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes!
That is what awaits those who have not only strayed from truth but have decided to lead those under them down the same path. God is the judge, and if He spoke, it’s only a matter of time
before His judgment is made manifest.
What to do for redemption
It is wise if you as a leader/teacher, have found yourself strayed from the word. To humble yourself and ask God for forgiveness. If it calls for stepping down from your position, even for a moment, do so. You will have less to deal with later on. But if in your pride, even after sinning or doing something wrong. You decide to not only shame those who call you out but legitimize others to do as you. After all, God forgave them. You are only increasing your punishment.
Just have a closer look at what Christ described that judgment. He said, it would be better for him, if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea.’ If this my friend is a better punishment. How bad is the actual punishment God gives to such people who lead others astray?
I really pray it will not be you. But if you were the person in question, repent. We have a forgiving and loving Father. There is always a way out for a contrite heart.
