The Encourager
Under God by Bubba Garner
Sunday, May 31, 2015Maybe we should take those words out of our Pledge of Allegiance. Not because they are unconstitutional, but because they are inaccurate.
How can we profess to be “one nation under God” when we can’t say prayers in school but we can distribute contraceptives for “safe sex”? How can we be “one nation under God” when we have laws that allow babies to be aborted but protect endangered species of animals? While we certainly have advanced immeasurably in every field of technology, we have digressed to the lowest depths in almost every area of morality. Can we call that progress?
We are all under God in the sense that He is sovereign, ruling every nation of men from His throne. And throughout history, He has caused kingdoms to rise and fall, punishing those who refused to honor Him or have regard for things that are right and pure. If He did not even spare the sons of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob from the day of destruction, how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?
The history of God’s dealings with the nation of Israel was written “for our learning” (Rom 15:4) and as an “example for us” (1 Cor 10:6). It was not recorded so that we could wag our heads and say, “They must have been blind not to see that!” Rather, it should cause our humble contemplation, “That could be us if we’re not careful.” The same things that led to the fall of national Israel are the same symptoms that exist among spiritual Israel—a people who are supposed to be “under God.”
They Got too Close to the World
“All the officials of the priests and the people were very unfaithful following all the abominations of the nations” (2 Chr 36:14). They were warned about this possibility before they ever entered the land of milk and honey. The reason the Lord did not want them to marry or associate with other nations was because He knew they would turn the heart of His people away from Him. And that’s exactly what happened. First, they just wanted a king. In the end, they lost their whole kingdom.
The love of God cannot coexist with the love of the world. Jesus demanded a decision, one or the other (Matt 6:24). We try to get around that by saying, “I’m not in the world, but I’m going to get as close as I can to it.” The problem with that philosophy is that those who continually live on the edge, end up falling off. The question we ought to ask ourselves is not “How close am I to the world?” but “How far am I from God?”
They Put Their Trust in Things
Idolatry was their timeless plague. Despite all the wonders God worked among them and the power He displayed in their deliverance, they turned to graven images. They even took their idols and “defiled the house of the Lord which He had sanctified in Jerusalem” (2 Chr 36:14). Instead of trusting the living God, they placed their confidence in things that could not hear their prayers or see their predicaments or speak for their assurance.
Remember, Paul said that this is recorded “that we should not crave evil things as they also craved” (1 Cor 10:11). And in that same opening is the admonition to “flee from idolatry” (v. 14). We are naive if we think that serving idols is limited to worshiping a golden calf or bowing down to some statue. It is anything that stands between us and whole-hearted service to God. It is whatever we turn to when we ought to be turning to the Lord. We have been created in His image, not made to trust in created images.
They Mocked the Message
“And the Lord sent word to them again and again … but they continually despised His words and scoffed at His prophets” (2 Chr 36:15–16). They were given plenty of opportunities to repent. But as each spokesman came on the scene, “they laughed him to scorn and mocked him” (2 Chr 30:10). By rejecting the words of God, they rejected God Himself. Thus, “the wrath of the Lord arose against His own people, until there was no remedy” (2 Chr 36:16).
We dare not lose our reverence for the Bible, the inspired message of God. We do so when we reduce simple and straightforward Scriptures to a mere “matter of interpretation.” We do so when we make no time to read it as individuals or with our families. We do so when we neglect to put it to work in our lives so that others can see Christ in us. We do so when we regard it as outdated or old fashioned until there is no standard of right and wrong. Remember, “God is not mocked” (Gal 6:7).
Let us pledge our full allegiance to the Lord. Because no matter what happens in the courtroom or in Congress or in culture, we will forever be a people under God’s rule.
The Charge to Elders by C.G. "Colly" Caldwell
Sunday, May 24, 2015Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. (1 Peter 5:2–3 )
If the owner of a flock loves his sheep, he naturally takes being a shepherd as an awesome responsibility. If one loves his brethren and has been chosen to oversee them in a congregation, he knows that much is riding on each decision he and his fellow shepherds (elders) make.
Franklin Roosevelt worked hard to persuade Harry Truman to be his running mate in the 1944 presidential election. Truman wanted to go to the Senate, but he loved his country and so accepted the job with extreme reluctance. On April 12, 1945 he was summoned to the White House. There he was shown into Eleanor Roosevelt’s sitting room, where she told him that the President was dead. After a moment of stunned silence Truman asked her, “Is there anything I can do for you?” She shook her head. “Is there anything we can do for you?” she asked. “You now have the responsibility for our nation.” I like that story because it expresses the personal concern of Mr. Truman for Mrs. Roosevelt while at the same time he was reminded of his important new obligation.
The work of a bishop carries responsibilities. It is not an “honorary office.” Some elders do not understand that. Some seem to think they have gained a position “at the top.” They need instruction like that given by the mamma whale to her young calf: “When you get to the surface and start spouting off, that’s the time you’re most apt to be harpooned.” What then must elders remember to meet their responsibility, their obligation, and their charge?
It’s Not About Me
By imposing certain standards, “Not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you,” he lays the basic attitudinal fence around the overseer’s mind and heart.
There is a primary thing for elders to remember: “the flock belongs to God, not me!” Elders would do well to look at those they are leading and ask, “Who benefits most from this relationship? It should not be me!” Country singer Leann Rimes’ father structured his agent fees to make more than his daughter did. Our generation’s slogan is, “What’s in it for me?” While many of us came to Christianity with that motive, we need to grow to the point of asking, “What’s in my being a Christian for Christ? And what’s in it for others?” If you want to be a good leader in any capacity, equip yourself to render service to those who need your love and care. Elders serve willingly, not for their own gain and not with a domineering, self-centered spirit. All Christians need these same qualities of character and spirit.
Take Care of the People
“Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving …” Like shepherds of literal sheep, elders have the obligation to keep the sheep from straying (Hebrews 13:17), to lead them to water and pasture (1 Peter 5:2), and to protect them from danger (Acts 20:29–30). The primary function of an elder is not to watch over money, property, or business affairs, but to “watch out for your souls as those who must give account” (Hebrews 13:17).
God’s lists of required characteristics for this work (1 Timothy 3:1–7; Titus 1:5–9) do not mention formal education, popularity, business acumen, or professional standing in the community. God is looking for care-giving shepherds. Serving others is the highest calling a person can receive. Elders who are only interested in the “bottom line” from a business perspective do not understand their primary duty. Take care of the church’s resources, but try a little human compassion and tenderness. And be sure to place binding up the wounds of the hurting alongside defending the flock against predators.
Lead by Example
“Being examples to the flock …” “Do as I say, not as I do” does not work for shepherds. Albert Schweitzer once said, “Example is not the main thing in influencing others. It is the only thing.” That may not be completely true, but no shepherd can lead in paths he is unwilling to walk. Unlike herdsmen who drive cattle, shepherds lead. They are to be out front, not barking orders from the rear. Tom Landry, former head coach of the Dallas Cowboys said, “Leadership is a matter of having people look at you and gain confidence, seeing how you react.” That being true, when it comes time for elders to make decisions, the church will follow as a matter of course.
The instruction to the church is, “Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct (Hebrews 13:7). Do you see how that presumes that the conduct and life of the elders will be such that brethren will gladly follow? If elders are examples of godly husbands, fathers, citizens, neighbors, and most of all Christians, the church will want to follow.
I am told that Mark Twain became embittered against Christian faith because of church leaders who owned and abused slaves, who used foul language, and who practiced dishonesty during the week after speaking piously in church on Sunday. Although he saw genuine love for the Lord and others in his mother and his wife, he was so disturbed by the poor example of church leaders that he could not respond well to the things of God. How many elders have wondered why the church would not respond well to their leadership? Perhaps, the example has not been such as to encourage that kind of loyalty.