Protecting the church from wolves

One of the most picturesque biblical images of the enemies of Christ and His church is that of the wolf. Wolves are predatory animals. They have a great need to consume fresh flesh, and feel warm blood. Wolves love to attack sheep, if they can, because--when there is no shepherd there to protect them--they are highly vulnerable.

Sheep often look at wolves as friends, not enemies. This is because of the allure an animal of a different species, brings. But, unless the shepherd intercedes, the wolf will quickly put his teeth into the sheep.

Good under-shepherds, perfectly illustrated by the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, the Great Shepherd, are willing to lay their lives down for the sheep—even if the sheep stand by, completely oblivious as to why they would do so.

The way God protects His sheep today is through the ordination of these shepherds, commonly referred to as “pastors.” Pastors absolutely must protect the sheep, at all costs—even if it means losing everything: their names, their positions, their possessions, or even their lives.

Wolves are very persistent animals. If they are driven off by the shepherd once, this will not deter them from trying to get their fangs into that same fold again, at another time, when they sense an opportunity to strike.

The New Testament even portrays crafty wolves as dressing in “sheep’s clothing,” (in Matt. 7:15). They can sound like real sheep, they can look like real sheep, they can even act like real sheep (for a time)—but inwardly, as Jesus says, they are “ravenous wolves.” This is because, in fact, they are hypocrites.

Church wolves are almost always on the run. When they get themselves in trouble in one place, they flee to another (unsuspecting) fold. They will not endure discipline, because they cannot pass its test of authenticity.

The church should always be wary of wolves; and its shepherds must always be alert, ready to do whatever is necessary to protect those for whom Christ died, from these dangerous agents of the devil.

The Worldly Church

Have you noticed a trend of late? It goes like this: the church is "worldly," therefore we must carve out our destiny independent of it.

Guess what? *THAT* very mentality *is* true worldliness, in the eyes of God.

Worldliness is one of those slippery terms, that can be employed for one's not-so-savory use, while all the time falling into it. Worldliness is not, at base, anti-religiousness. Instead, the worst forms of worldliness are those that propose an alternate religion to the truth God spreads before us, in His word, His church, and in the proclamation of His gospel.

Beware of those who would lure you into real worldliness, by discouraging your involvement in church, on the basis that it is too "worldly."

Confusing? Give it some thought. Blessings on your contemplations.

Children of the church

Church children, even (and especially) the very youngest of them, are the greatest beneficiaries of (and benefits to) a healthy and God-honoring church. Partly for this reason, they are to be the very first (not second, third, or last) in line, in the Lord’s economy, for receiving the ministry of the body of Christ.

God is concerned that the youngest, and most vulnerable of His own get all the help they need. This assistance comes in various forms. Even before they are born, the children are recognized and prayed for by the congregation. After their births, these children of believers are baptized into the church body. The benefits of baptism include, among many other things, all the hope of God’s good favor in Christ.

Baptized children’s religious education starts in the church, and is enhanced in the home, as their parents reinforce what they hear from the pulpit into the hearts and minds of their children. Church children have benefits and advantages that are not experienced by those outside the body of Christ—be their other worldly favors as great as they may be.

God would have His church love, embrace, value, serve, teach, encourage, and disciple His littlest ones, which He has been so gracious to bequeath to His people.

Let all God’s churchmen become like the smallest members of Christ’s body: in simple faith in, and felt dependence upon Jesus.

The church as Arbiter

What is the church's role, when the civil government oversteps its bounds, and infringes on the God-given rights of the family, for instance? Let's use this example: what should the church do, if the state said that spanking a child was against the law?

In this instance, the church should side with and labor for the families (in its midst) who would be thus affected. After all: is it more noble to obey God's clear Biblical directive, or a faulty civil law? Clearly, it is incumbent on the church to obey God. Whatever negative fallout that may be forthcoming would have to be patiently endured, reckoning it all up to the sovereign hand of God, and the privilege of suffering for Christ's sake, (cf. Acts 5:41).

On the other end of the spectrum, what would the church's responsibility be, if one of its parishioners decided not to pay his taxes, (for instance)? In this scenario, the church would side with the state, basing its decision on equally-clear scriptures, (such as Rom. 13:6). A tax-evading professing Christian would then be subject to two judgments: that of the state, and the church.

All of these institutions, church, state, and family, are good, in that they are ordained of God. In a fallen world, the lines sometimes get jumbled-up and confused--but ultimately it is the church's spiritual jurisdiction that is of greatest weight and importance.