The church – the collection of people who bear the Holy name of the LORD- is made up of people from all walks of life and nations who are called to be Holy just as the LORD is Holy. Man does not set the standard for Holiness, neither is it left by chance for men to know what it is. Instead, God Himself has revealed it throughout the totality of scripture. The Bible informs God’s people of the nature of God and how those called by His name are to live and walk humbly, submitting to walk along the path of righteousness.
Paul writes concerning this to Timothy, stating:
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17
Now, on a side note, Paul wrote his letter to Timothy around 63AD.[1] At that time, there was no New Testament Bible. The scriptures Paul was referencing were the Tenak—what we call the Old Testament writings.
“Modern Christians may be surprised to learn that there was once a time when the Christian Bible did not contain both the Old and the New Testament. New Testament statements such as 2 Timothy 3:16, “All scripture is inspired by God,” are predicated on what came later to be called the Old Testament. So too are many of the references to “scripture” in the writings of the early Fathers.“[2]
The Christian Bible was first canonised in the 4th century. Nevertheless, debates continued until the 19th century. However, the point being made is that when the disciples, early church and early church fathers mentioned scripture, it was a reference to the Old Testament and not the Christian Bible.[3]
Why the sidestep above? Many Christians believe that any reference to God and His standard of Holiness from the Old Testament is obsolete, even when Jesus stated Himself that it was not.
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. 19 Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:17-20
The lawlessness of the world has infiltrated the church. Consequently, those called to be Holy as the LORD is Holy. Those admonished to be light and salt in a perverse world have become a simulacrum of the world. Thus, it cannot be effective in the calling placed upon it because many who shepherd the people are nothing more than hirelings – who do not inquire of the Living God but instead follow the imaginations of their own hearts and the doctrines of demons.
The shepherds are senseless and do not inquire of the LORD; so they do not prosper and all their flock is scattered. Jeremiah 10:21
What we are witnessing is nothing more than a repeat of how ancient Israel turned away from God. Consequently, God judged them severely as He removed His hand of protection. The reason Israel turned away was because those shepherding her were corrupt. The leaders had stopped teaching the whole council of the word of God. Instead, they watered it down to make it appealing and adopted synchronistic worship – the fusion and mingling of pagan practices with their worship of the Living God.
Likewise, in many churches today, leaders apply a synchronistic religious approach. They are inept at rightly dividing the word of God. Instead, they show partiality, elevating the doctrines of men above those of the Living God. The idol of political correctness and inclusivity has become the lens through which one interprets the scriptures. Consequently, the doctrines of demons have become accepted, and truth in the church is elusive.
Nonetheless, there is hope! Scripture informs us that God will move for His Holy name’s sake. God will remove the hirelings as He judges them for causing His people to be scattered. Judgment will come because the hirelings, due to showing partiality, have caused the great falling away mentioned in scripture.[4] Thus, God will judge the bad shepherds – those who fail to lead as Messiah would.
What most leaders fail to comprehend is that they are to govern and lead as Jesus, our Messiah, would. They are to lead and walk as He would and stand for truth—not water down scripture but stand firm even if it costs them their lives. A true leader leads through humble service to those whom God has given them to oversee.
Sadly, many have failed. Thus, I urge pastors and leaders to examine themselves and repent of any wrongdoing. They should audit their theology and submit totally to God and His word. They should return to walking righteously—to be Holy as the LORD is Holy! Failure to do so will result in judgment!
God will remove the hirelings, those who have failed to shepherd His people in truth and righteousness. But praise God He will also raise men who seek after Him to shepherd His people during these days.
“Woe to the shepherds who are destroying and scattering the sheep of my pasture!” declares the LORD. 2 Therefore this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says to the shepherds who tend my people: “Because you have scattered my flock and driven them away and have not bestowed care on them, I will bestow punishment on you for the evil you have done,” declares the LORD. 3 “I myself will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the countries where I have driven them and will bring them back to their pasture, where they will be fruitful and increase in number. 4 I will place shepherds over them who will tend them, and they will no longer be afraid or terrified, nor will any be missing,” declares the LORD. Jeremiah 23:1-4
For the LORD is rebuilding David’s fallen tabernacle, an event that will finally be fulfilled with the final generation and the return of Messiah.
The LORD will remove those shepherds who will not walk humbly before Him, replacing them with righteous men who seek the LORD. The LORD does this to ensure His name is kept Holy because the people who bear His name have profaned it.
Praise God! The LORD will ensure His word is fulfilled. Yes, the church will go through a refining – tribulation, but in the end, the church will emerge as a spotless bride.
Thus, it is time to repent and draw near to God as we seek Him while auditing our theology and lives. The question is, who is leading you? Is it a leader who hungers and thirsts after righteousness or a hireling who does not inquire of the LORD?
Then I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will lead you with knowledge and understanding. Jeremiah 3:15
We serve and worship a faithful and gracious God; therefore, let us seek to do likewise and be holy as he is holy!
Pray for church leaders, but also challenge them and ask them where they stand. If they say one thing and do another, challenge them, but also ask God where He wants you to be taught – fed spiritually. We live in challenging days, and it is critical we are prepared spiritually, practically and psychologically for these days. If you attend a church that shows partially and compromises the word of God. One that fails to prepare the people for the days we live, then if the minister will not repent and change, my advice is – leave and find one that does!
May the LORD, guide and protect in these days!
[1] CARM. (n.d.) When was the Bible written and who wrote it? Online, available from https://carm.org/the-bible/when-was-the-bible-written-and-who-wrote-it/
[2] Britannica. (n.d.) Biblical Canon, online, available from https://www.britannica.com/topic/Biblical-canon
[3] Ibid.
[4] Matthew 24:12 Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold,