12/07/21 NO TIME TO PLAY GAMES

12/07/21 NO TIME TO PLAY GAMES

Young people shake their heads at misguided children.
Adults shake their heads at misguided young people.
Pastors shake their heads at misguided parishioners.
Using anthropomorphic terms, we might say that God shakes His head at misguided pastors.

Pastors should be so close to God and filled with God's word and Spirit that they quickly see the error of their thoughts or actions, and therefore quickly turn to walk in the way of God. And this is the norm for a man of God who is seeking and following Jesus with his whole heart (though this is often not the case). Of course, parishioners should be quick to hear and heed the leading of God as well.

If a pastor does not make changes when God speaks to him it is obvious to others and it can quickly become "everyone's" business.

When parishioners fail to change their direction in obedience to God, many of them consider it no one's business, including the pastor's. But it is the pastor's business, literally.

Not all pastors choose to walk in the light of God's truth or to walk in the Holy Spirit (walk in love, peace, obedience). But for those pastors who are faithful and true to God's calling, there is an eagerness and an early awareness of their error. This makes it possible for the pastor to make whatever adjustment is necessary in order to walk in the light, even as Christ is in the light.

Not all parishioners choose to walk in the light of God's truth or to walk in the Holy Spirit. But God speaks to them through His Spirit, through His word and also through spiritual leaders, including their pastors. For those who are not eager to know and to follow God's leading, or yield to God's correction, there is a hesitancy that leads to a hardening of the heart and a rejection of God, along with a rejection of anyone who speaks the truth of God.

Children are going to be misguided from time to time. But they have the protection and help of parents to help them turn and choose the right path.
Young people have the same advantages as children, but if they have been choosing the wrong path for a while, it will harder for a young person to turn than for a child to turn.

This is also true for adults. The longer they choose a path that is in conflict with godly counsel (from the Bible, from the Holy Spirit and through godly believers, including pastors), the more difficult it is for a parishioner to acknowledge the error of his way and the less inclined he is to accept pastoral authority (as prescribed by New Testament revelation). That person not only resist pastor's counsel, he resists the leadership of other mature and godly saints and he becomes angry, separating himself from leadership and fellowship.

Just as there are many voices calling the children and the young people into paths of danger, corruption, misunderstanding, so there are many voices that are calling, luring, deceiving believers into paths of rebellion.

God has provided all that we need for life and godliness, but we are personally responsible and accountable for our choices. Remember, we are also responsible and answerable for the people we mislead.

The end times brings with it greater deception and attacks on individual believers and on the church corporately. It is no wonder that the Bible tells believers to be subject and to obey our spiritual leaders and also to submit to one another and to be certain to gather together with the local church, especially as we see the end days approaching.

Hebrews 10:23-27
(23) Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
(24) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
(25) Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
(26) For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
(27) But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.