Greetings,
Are men and women fools to follow
God? Is this land a place of earthly paradise? How do you define insurance and
good sense? Are the unbelievers really sure that there is no other life?
Peace,
Carl A. Patton,
FreedomJournal
THE ROLE OF LEADERSHIP IN THE CHURCH
Part 2: The Leadership of Man
In
the name of God, Master of the universe, Ruler of the earth.
We thank God for another opportunity
to record the Truth of His word. The role of leadership in the church is quite
simple. Our first article noted "The Leadership of God." Thus, God is
the head of the church. Man has a role as an under shepherd, however he is
never placed over God.
We live in a sin sick society. A
society where wrong is turned in to right and right into wrong. For example
those that record the Truth of God are often scorned and rebuked in this
society. The Censorship of Psyche Publishing: FreedomJournal is a leading
example of the Devil inspired attack on the Truth of God. Therefore, man seeks
to deny our God given right to Free Speech.
Nonetheless, and regardless to the
ways of the wicked in this society we will endure. God has all power and God
has commissioned us to do a task. Therefore, we have a responsibility to note
the foolishness of man following man instead of God. Meanwhile why does man
follow man?
Is there any truth in the following
responses to this question? Man follows man because he gets paid. Black
organizations, Black leaders and a host of other ungodly parasites sell out the
Black and poor for hard cash, the funky dollar bill. Man follows man because he
has a desire for a heaven on earth. Thus man and the people we have previously
noted seek instant gratification. They believe that when you are dead you are
done. They have no faith in the Spiritual world.
Man follows man for prestige, power,
influence and station in life. Again we see a man that has a limited vision. He
wants to see and feel everything in the flesh. He has no confidence in promises
of God. Thus, he does not realize that he can't see and feel God because he is
cluttered with evil and the desires of Satan.
We return to the scriptures of the
New Testament. In 1 Corinthians chapter four we see the Apostle Paul offering
counseling to his beloved children in Corinth. As we move to the 4th and 5th
verse, we see a reference to judging and wisdom. See:
Judgment and The Lambs Book of Life
1 Corinthians 4:4
"For I know nothing by myself;
yet am I not hereby justified: but he judgeth me is the Lord."
Identifying sin is not judging. The
false prophets and those that have willfully distorted the scriptures have
confused the issue of judging. We believe that many leaders in the churches
have been guilty of various obvious sins and have willfully taught the people
that identifying sin (judging) was wrong. To recognize and identify sin is not
judging. How can you keep sin out of the church if you don't identify it?
The Lord is the only one capable of
judging. The wisdom of man cannot match the Lord's. However, man has a
responsibility and duty as a Christian to identify sin and take some action.
In the 5th verse we see Paul urging
the Corinthians not to judge prematurely. God will appoint the time of judgment
which will take place when he returns. Only God knows all the facts and your
secrets.
As we continue to reflect on the
verses in this chapter we see further revelations in verse 6. Here we see the
evidence of "The Power of Perception." The world may see your faith
and trust in God as a faithful steward as a waste of time and effort. However,
the Christians serve a cause not of this world.
Paul notes that the Corinthians
loyalties should not be divided among different men. Therefore, they should be
united in following the scriptures. Paul noted that if all submitted to the
authority of the scriptures it is less likely that individuals will become
puffed up trying to set one teacher over another.
Meanwhile the world that follows man
views the people of God as fools. In verse ten we see the following:
"We are fools for Christ's sake,
but ye are wise in Christ, we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honorable,
but we are despised."
The world considered Paul a fool
because he forsaked all and followed Jesus. In contrast many at Corinth thought
themselves wise, strong and honorable. In their perceived wisdom and strength
and honor they lost sight of what it meant to follow Jesus.
Man has no interest in suffering and
sacrificing for God and Spiritual peace. The acceptance of Satan and the desire
of sin is an easy road to travel. To walk with God is difficult and often hard
to bear. However the joy of the Truth of God, His mercy and blessings make this
road a road of Peace and Paradise. The true believer realizes the temptations
of Satan. He realizes that this earth is not his home. Therefore he is neither
confused nor dismayed by the evil spirits that often seek to hamper
his Christian journey.
In verse 11 we see that Paul as a
soldier of the cross was made to suffer many things. We see a summary of Paul's
suffering in 2 Corinthians 11:23-28. Paul was sacrificing his life for the
Gospel. The false teachers that men seek to follow will never lay down their
lives for God. The reality is that the ungodly man has nothing for which he is
willing to die. Men who follow man and not God have no morals, principles,
integrity and no stature. Who are really fools?
carl@freedomjournalpress.comcastbiz.net