“Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof,
not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;
Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the
flock”
(1Peter 5:2-3).
It is sad today that there is a lack of true shepherds among God's people who
are willing to feed the church with the whole council of God. Paul warned about
these knowing that they would
“enter in”
from without, and
“arise”
from within,
“speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them”
(Acts 20:30).
To make their disciples, the teaching tactics they use is not so much by what
they preach, but what they will not preach, so as not to offend the itching
ears of their followers. Repentance is almost a forgotten doctrine. Warnings of
sin, and hell, false teachers and deceivers are viewed as negative. Their
mantra is “judge not lest you be judged”, even though Jesus (John
7:24) and His disciples (1Corinthians 2:15, 5:11-13, 6:1-6, 10:15, Philippians
1:9-10) commanded us to do so, and to do it without hypocrisy (Matthew 7:1-5).
This “new evangelical” philosophy can be exemplified today in what
are known as the “church growth movements” that teach the unwary
“how to grow their church”. Their methods involve a move away from
doctrine and holiness and worldly separation and replace them with a more
ecumenical, entertainment-orientated format (programs, concerts, plays,
contemporary music, etc.). These organizations find that the recommended
methods work very well and are thereby becoming some of the “mega
churches” of the day. But sadly, in their humanistic approach, they fail
to recognize the fact that
“Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it”
(Psalms 127:1).
Peter also says that those who would take the
oversight
should be willing recipients of the task but never take it by
constraint
. Unfortunately there are those who have entered in, and sought to take the
oversight by force, through aggressive attitudes and subtle manipulations
whereby they seek to frustrate the work of others. Some as we have seen in the
Scriptures have their eyes on the monetary benefits that come with their
desired position, but Peter commands that it be not taken
“for filthy lucre”
.
The final end of these self-willed men is that they become
“lords over God's heritage”
.
They may come with the pretense to serve but have a lust for power and must be
in control of every aspect of the church. They may appear to be very busy
“But all their works they do for to be seen of men”
(Matthew 23:5),
“having men's persons in admiration because of advantage”
(Jude 1:16). They seek as Nimrod, to make a name for themselves and
“receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from
God only”
(John 5:44).
Many of these religionists Christ had to rebuke.
“Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are
full of hypocrisy and iniquity”
(Matthew 23:28). They love titles of men
“And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi”
(v. 7), or Elder, Pastor and Reverend. But Job said,
“I know not to give flattering titles; in so doing my maker would soon
take me away”
(Job 32:22).
Through their craft they usurp authority rather than receiving it for they love
to have the preeminence. We find such a case in John's third epistle. He wrote
to the church seeking to minister to them the Word of God
“but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth
us not. Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating
against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he
himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them
out of the church”
(3John 9-10).
Diotrephes, because of his love of supremacy received not the beloved John.
This alone satisfied not his ego for neither would he receive other of the
brethren, and those who would he forbid, casting them out too. This spirit of
popery in various forms and degrees is sadly observed in much of
“Protestantism” today.
John was “the elder” (v. 1) but Diotrephes in his belligerent
attitude refused him and railed against him. This is absolutely unacceptable in
the house of God. Paul says
“Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father”
(1 Timothy 5:1); them who
“are over you in the Lord … esteem them very highly in love for their
work's sake”
(1Thesalonians 5:12-13).
“Remember them …Obey them … Salute all them that have the rule
over you … and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they
that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief”
(Hebrews 13:7, 17, 24).
Countless souls are ensnared
“by the sleight of man and cunning craftiness”
(Ephesians 4:14), and are under the yoke of many a Diotrephes, being deceived
by their great and swelling words.
“Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences
contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that
are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good
words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple”
(Romans 16:17-18).
This form or religion has no place in the church, and those who walk in such a
manner should be ashamed of their actions, and repent. Rather than exalting
themselves, if they would seek to be great, they ought rather to follow the
teachings of Christ.
“But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whosoever
shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be
exalted”
(Matthew 23:11-12).
“Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and
they that are great exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among
you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And
whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of
man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a
ransom for many”
(Matthew 20:25-28).
Not only should we follow Christ's teachings, we should follow His example, who
“made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a
servant…he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death
of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name
which is above every name”
(Philippians 2:7-9).
“For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich,
yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be
rich”
(2Corinthians 8:9).
The Lord Jesus Christ is our great example of humility, which was reflected in
the teachings of the apostles. Paul taught the Colossians to
“Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of
mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering”
(Colossians 3:12). He taught the Romans to,
“Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate”
(Romans 12:16). Not only did the apostle Paul teach such doctrine, he followed
his Saviors example,
“Serving the Lord with all humility of mind”
(Acts 20:19).
“Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility:
for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. Humble yourselves
therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time”
(1Peter 5:5-6).
While this is not a popular topic, it had to be addressed in the days of the
apostles, and so must be addressed today, perhaps even more so today as the
church drifts further toward that time in the Scriptures known as the
“falling away”
or apostasy. Finally the ultimate Diotrephes will arise
“who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that
is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself
that he is God”
(2Thessalonians 2:4).
In closing remarks, I think it appropriate to warn every reader, and remind
them, as I have been, of the deceitfulness of our own hearts. Perhaps we would
see ourselves as meek and humble servants of the Lord, and among those who are
of low estate. But, if we would examine our selves in the radiance of Jesus
Christ, we are sure to see within our own flesh the pride of life seeking to
rear up its ugly head. The temptation to esteem our self is really only another
form of our adversary's deadly persuasion,
“Ye shall be as gods”
.
From the beginning he has put this snare in the way of men. The only release as
always, which will also help to keep us humble, is to set our eyes upon the
Lord Jesus Christ and behold Him who is altogether lovely. Only then can one
truly see how short we fall of the glory of God, acknowledging to Him only be
all glory honor and praise, and see to it
“that in all things he might have the preeminence”
(Colossians 1:18).