Loving Father, I would ask that your wisdom and direction would be evident in my life. There are so many things that are so very important when we have an eternal perspective in life and there are many things that are deceptively so. I would pray that I would have great determination to invest in the eternal and forgo the temporal. Amen.
Luke 6:39-40 (<<click to read the passage)
Wow! You wouldn’t think that two short verses could get my mind reeling like it is! As I have read through this passage, many thoughts have rumbled through my brain.
My leaping point began with the footnote in my Life Application Study Bible.
Make sure you’re following the right teachers and leaders, because you will go no farther than they do. Look for leaders who will show you more about faith and whose guidance you can trust.
First of all, pray for your pastor every day! There is a heavy load upon our shoulders. We have an enormous responsibility.
James 3:1 alone should deter the foolish from ever stepping behind a pulpit.
Not many [of you] should become teachers [serving in an official teaching capacity], my brothers and sisters, for you know that we [who are teachers] will be judged by a higher standard (or receive greater judgment) [because we have assumed greater accountability and more condemnation if we teach incorrectly]. (AMP)
Secondly, be careful who you follow. As my mind ran down this trail, I couldn’t help but think of disastrous leadership that has led to all kinds of pain, confusion and even death. One prime example is Jonestown in November of 1978, where a delusional leader brought about the death of over 900 people – a third of them children! It all came about because of what he declared to be the truth – Jesus was nowhere to be found!
I challenge the people of my congregations to double-check everything I say against God’s word. Paul encourages us in 1 Thessalonians 5:21 (AMP).
But test all things carefully [so you can recognize what is good]. Hold firmly to that which is good.
Jesus declares in today’s passage,
“Can one blind person lead another? Won’t they both fall into a ditch? Students are not greater than their teacher. But the student who is fully trained will become like the teacher. Luke 6:39-40 (NLT)
A person without sight cannot safely lead another person without sight. But He is addressing much more than physical blindness. One who is spiritually blind will be inept in leading others spiritually. It is dangerous for all!
Our goal must be to follow Jesus! And whoever we choose to lead us must follow Jesus, as well. If they are a pastor after God’s own heart, pray for them with all that you got! And if they are a pastor after their own heart, run as fast as you can in the opposite direction. Lord, help us all!
Feb 18th, 2020, Tues, 12:59 pm
