A couple of years ago, the Holy Spirit spoke to my heart: “Your leaders could get you killed.”
My first thoughts after hearing the Holy Spirit speak these words were related to our government leaders, such as president, secretary of state, secretary of defense, governor, mayor, and so forth.
But upon reflection, I believe the Holy Spirit was referring to our Christian leaders. And since we live in America, almost all of our leaders are pastors, right?
Am I saying that pastors don’t love their congregations? No, not at all. Love is not the problem because I’m sure most pastors are willing to die for their fellowship members and do everything they can to protect them.
What am I saying?
And Jesus Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ (Ephesians 4:11-13)
Pastors are just one part of the biblical plan set in place by Jesus to equip His church. The pastors have shepherding gifts, which mainly deal with problems that are seen in present day America. But the apostles and prophets, on the other hand, have gifts to prepare believers for what they see coming to America in the near future. Not only that, the apostles and prophets have plans and strategies to help guide us through the problems.
The obvious answer is to have apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers in every church. Then congregations should be equipped and prepared for today and tomorrow, right?
Ah, does anyone see a problem here?
Jesus said to the Pharisees and scribes, “All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition. (Mark 7:9)
Traditions!
In His day, Jesus had a hard time changing Jewish mindsets based on traditions, which had been set in place for nearly five hundred years or since the time of the prophet Malachi. Each part of the mindset had grown year by year, rabbi by rabbi, layer by layer, until the traditions superseded God’s Word.
Now consider this?
Our traditions have been set in place for five hundred years or since Martin Luther nailed his Ninety-Five Thesis to the University of Wittenberg church door in 1517. It was Luther and his reformation cohorts who replaced the priests of the Catholic Churches with the pastors in Protestant Churches. Then, year by year, pastor by pastor, seminary class by seminary class, the importance of the pastor has grown until today it also supersedes God’s Word.
Thus, do we really believe it will be any easier for us to change our cement-like mindsets of today than it was for Jesus in His day?
Sadly, I don’t.
My prayer today:
Lord, break into our modern temples of today, with whips in hand if need be, to destroy our traditions so that we are prepared for the days ahead with Your leaders set in place. (Based on John 2:15)
What do you think and has the Lord spoken to you today?
Join with me on Thursdays to fast and pray for America.
Larry Who 