Examine yourselves!!

Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?--unless indeed you fail to meet the test! I hope you will find out that we have not failed the test. (2Co 13:5-6)

Examine:  peirázō = to ascertain the character of some hing, someone 

In the faith:  a true believer

Test:  dokimásō = to prove a thing worthy

Fail the test:  adókimos = prove to be spurious; unapproved

As I pray and study the Word and read the works of our Puritan fore-fathers I grow more and more convinced that somewhere along the way we have so cheapened and minimized the "Way" (Acts 19:9) that the designation "christian" is for all intents and purposes, meaningless.  

The term "christian" was originally used as a pejorative term intended to vilify followers of the Christ.  Today it most aptly commonly describes those whom can only be called false believers or hypocrites.  When someone asks you if you are a "christian" ask them what they mean by "christian."  My experience has been that what they describe bears little resemblance to the "Way" as it is taught by the Word of God.

What passes for common christianity today is but a sorrowful caricature of the true faith.  

Through what I see as the cultural compromise of the faith we have fallen into the condition of Israel at the end of the book of Judges.

In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.  (Jdg 21:25)

Though it is still proclaimed as true, in almost every practical sense Christ is not held as King and everyone does what it right in their own eyes.  We have moved further into a faith that has no crosses in it.  We have moved deeper into a cheapening of grace and a rejection of God's sovereignty.

What passes for the "Way" is not the "Way" we find in the Word.  Indeed in our making Jesus our own, we have made a Jesus of our own.  In even supposing and implying that we "make Him Lord and/or Savior" we have, at the very first, denied God's sovereignty in the redemption.

To "accept" Jesus as Lord and/or Savior has come to mean that we "allow" Him to save us.  We do Him a kindness by accepting His death so He'll feel good about Himself.  It no longer means that we fall to His feet in utter recognition of our sin and our need for His salvation and His absolute right to condemn us.  No, we do Him a good turn by joining His team - by telling Him He, "did really good," so we'll let Him save us.

Let me put it plain and main - If you do not recognize the utter hopelessness of your sinful state before God and your deserving or His righteous condemnation - then regardless of what you "say" about Jesus, you are none of His.  Unless your heart has been broken by your sin and His taking it upon Himself on the cross, you are none of His.  Unless you have acknowledged that He has every sovereign right over all of your life - that he is indeed King of Kings and Lord of Lords - and you kneel before Him in surrender of your self to His authority, you are none of His.  Unless, by His gracious providence, the Holy Spirit has convicted you of the worthlessness of your every effort in redemption and sanctification apart from the provision of God and His power - you are none of His.

Unless, in relation to Him, you hate everything and everyone, you are none of a His.  Unless you live in Him, by Him, under Him and for Him - you are none of His.

Do you pray much, study the word much, examine yourself much, give much?  Then you may well be none of His.  Are you raising your children in the Lord?  if not you may be none of His.

Is your walk with God the absolute priority in your life?  If not you may be none of His.

I will say this - and I do so because have been convicted and I am convinced by the Word of God, that unless you are humbly, depending upon His promises and power, seeking to obey Him in all the duties and obligations appropriate to a citizen of His Kingdom you may well be none of His.

If you are not healthily obsessed with His glory and honor, you may well be none of His.

His Word and His Spirit must be working in His to enable them to serve Him with all their minds, hearts and strength - and we must know that our minds, heart and strength, apart from His providence and power, are never enough.  

Where is the zeal for Him and His Kingdom?  Where is the single focused commitment to be conformed to His likeness?  Where is the crushing conviction of our sinfulness and His graciousness?  

Where is that cry, "Not I but Christ!"

I do not have any pleasure is writing this for it is indeed as much about me as it is anyone else.  But it is about all of us who would claim He is our Lord - utterly.  It is not about your goodness but His.  It is not about our righteousness but His.  It is not about us but Him.

Are you a tare of a stalk of wheat?  Are you a sheep or a goat?  Are you His or are you still your own?

Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?--unless indeed you fail to meet the test! I hope you will find out that we have not failed the test. 

(2Co 13:5-6)

Peter's Pen 1 Peter 5:1-4a

1st Peter 5:1-4  A

So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: 2 shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; 3 not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.   ESV

There's a lot in this passage to think on.  But I want to focus on elders and shepherding.  

"Elders" (presbuteros) are those who preside over the assmbly(ies) of believers.  They are "overseers."  They are also referred to as bishops is some translations.  Regardless of the title used, these are older men, mature in the faith and able to teach - disciple - believers.  They act as the guiding authority for individual assemblies of believers.  

Historically, it has not been a rare thing for elders of one individual assembly to confer or associate with elders of another assembly for the sake of fellowship, unity and consistency.  Though we like to see "denominations" as abominations, they are (or at least should be), in actuality, an association of like-minded and like-believing elders who confer together and draw from the collective experience, wisdom and knowledge to guide multiple assemblies.

For instance, when Paul addresses his missive to the "Church at Ephesus," it is not beyond considering that he was addressing multiple assemblies in that place.  The "church building" and the mega-church being conventions yet to come, it would not be surprising to find several "assemblies" of believers in one locale.  That being a possibility, it would follow that the "elders" in that place over those individual assemblies would work together for the good of all.

BUT - it is the role of the elder as shepherd that most touched my heart.  I was mentored by older pastors back in the day when doctors made house calls and elders did too.  These "shepherds" took seriously their obligation to care for the flock - from the greatest to the least.  They considered it their obligation to stay informed and involved with those under their care.  These men were in no way "professionals."  Even those ordained as "pastors" or "teaching elders" who had received training and education at seminary for that specific ministry did not consider themselves professionals but, rather, merely servants.

Interestingly, shepherds have not really had a good reputation in history.  They have been characterized as sneaky, lazy, shiftless, etc.  So, of course, we have to be amazed that David was a shepherd and that the angels came to the shepherds with the good news of the incarnation.

Let me take a different perspective, one we have unfortunately (and probably intentionally) lost.  The sheep are under the authority and care of the shepherds.  There is an intrinsic obligation laid upon the sheep to submit to the shepherds.  Now for sheep-sheep, there is little question of who is in charge; but for people-sheep or sheeple, it seems we have rejected that aspect of the relationship - much to our harm.

We have made the position of the shepherd (elder) one of status and prestige.  We have little problem letting them "care" for us as long as that care is within our comfort zone.  

What we do have a problem with is the authority of the shepherd - their obligation and right to "rule" over us.

Paul writes to Timothy:

2 Tim. 4:2

preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.   ESV

Now, we have little problem with the preaching part - as long as it doesn't get too personal.  We even tolerate the exhortation part as long as it doesn't exhort too much.  

But we have a real problem with the reprove and rebuke part of their role.  This is an all too common disconnect in our assemblies.  We don't mind preaching and exhorting but the other smacks too much of meddling.

Now consider:

Eph. 4:11-14

And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.   ESV

How are they to do this if we refuse to accept their reproof or rebukes?  Well, they can’t.

The sad part is that we are not rebelling against men but against God.  "He" gave these roles and responsibilities.  These elders are His means for accomplishing His will for His saints.

Ok - let's get it out there.  There are some really poor and even evil "shepherds" out there.  But it is our obligation to discern the quality and character of those we would follow, those whose authority we would submit to.  So we can't claim to be victims.

Placing one's self and one's family under the care and authority of any man or group of men is never something to be done lightly.  We are not to be spectators or mere consumers.  

When we are considering joining an assembly or fellowship, it is our responsibility to check out the leadership and just as diligently the statement of faith or mission statement.  It is our obligation to ask tough biblical, even theological questions of the leadership before we prayerfully seek to make a decision.

I've been a part of a fellowship whose shepherd(s) were mere position and status holders.  They were shepherds based upon their congeniality and popularity.  There was little hope of sound care or guidance from them.  The fellowship we are now a part of was thoroughly "vetted" by both my wife and myself before we decided to place ourselves under the care and authority of the "session" (elders).  

One "test" was whether the "teaching elder" (most would call him the Pastor or Preacher) was willing to correct, rebuke and/or reprove AND, if the context and content in which he did so was biblical.  Of course, it was kind of a ringer because I had, years ago, mentored and discipled one of the elders of this fellowship, so we went in with a greater level of confidence of being satisfied.

Are you safe in the care and oversight of your shepherds?  Do they actually shepherd the flock according to the biblical model?  Do you submit to their authority with comfort and confidence or do you just ignore that part of the relationship?

When shepherds are not faithful, the wolves eat well and the shepherd ultimately feeds upon the flock.

More on this next time...........................

This and That “wolves-sheep-serpents-doves”

Mat 10:16  Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.

Sheep vs Wolves

He compares them to "sheep", because they were meek and humble in their spirits, harmless, and inoffensive, in their lives and conversations; were weak, and unable to protect themselves, and were sent out by him unarmed and defenceless; and their oppressors and persecutors to "wolves", because fierce and furious, voracious and ravenous, cruel and hurtful, as these creatures are, especially to sheep; wherefore Christ gives them this wholesome advice . . . . John Gill

Serpents AND Doves

The serpent is a very sharp sighted, cunning creature, and uses various arts and stratagems for its own preservation, and especially of its head; and is so far to be imitated by the followers of Christ, as to make use of all proper methods to preserve themselves from the insults and rage of men, and not expose themselves to unnecessary dangers: and, as much as in them lies, they should be careful to give no just occasion of offence, or irritate, and provoke them to use them ill, and to avoid all snares and traps that are laid for them; and, at the same time, maintain the innocence and harmlessness of the dove, being free from all wicked cunning and craftiness, without rancour, malice, and wrath; not meditating and seeking revenge, but meek and humble in their deportment, leading inoffensive lives, and proceeding in the course of their calling, though liable to many insults, and much oppression. John Gill

Sounds great – but oh, so tough to do.

Wolves eat sheep, serpents eat doves – Oh, I feel better already(?!?!?!?!?)

I deal with wolves everyday.  Motivated by their appetite, they simply seek dinner – that would be us-sheep.  Let me share a few things I know:
Wolves are not your friends – never have been, never will be – in fact, can’t be.
Wolves are by nature predators.  They are hunters.
Wolves hunt in packs – you are never dealing with just one.
Wolves wound and then kill.
Wolves usually kill as a team.
Wolves look for the weak, injured and infirmed.
Wolves are gorgeous animals.
Wolves are sneaky, stealth.
Wolves will turn on their own.
Wolves are NEVER tame.
You are dinner on the hoof – whether the wolves eat you right away or wait until later.
The majority of wolves walk on two legs, drive cars and work, they are human.
They want to kill – they will kill you - you are dinner (or lunch - or breakfast).

Ah….. sheep..

     Meek and mild by nature.
     Utterly defenseless.
     Kind of naïve – maybe dumb.
     Can be frightened to death.
     Are not inclined to sense danger – unless it’s right in their face.
     Can panic one another easily.
     Make great meals.  Wolves love them.
     In wolf attacks most die from fright – few are actually killed by the wolves.
     Can kill themselves running away.
     Can be a little ornery.
     Sheep eat grass, not wolves.

Ok – that is them and us.  Great news right?  Oh, did I forget?  Wolf-men (and women) make the rules in this world –and they grossly outnumber us.

Let’s not forget, in human form, wolves hate sheep (especially the Great Shepherd’s flock).
Oh – joy.  I’m excited, how about you?

Let me make my great political statement of 2012  “Wolves !!!!!!!!” “Go to the poles and vote -vote for the wolf that will kill you quickly and wait till you are dead before eating you – because they will kill you and they will eat you.”  

So what is this snake and dove thing?

We need to be familiar with both:

Eph 4:14  so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.
and again,
Eph 4:14  so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.

I wish I could get you all to read William Gurnall’s book, The Christian in Complete Armor.  But it is a long and at times tedious read having been written so long ago.  Yet, it is as critical today and it was when written.

Alas, it is easier to just listen to sermons and go to seminars than to do the hard and tedious work of equipping ourselves and thereby actually taking responsibility for our own growth and fitness for service.

And so, we are ignorant sheep and un-snakely in our wisdom and discernment.  The result is we are captivated by the cotton-candy Gospel and the easily-done duties that pass for instruction and discipline today.  We are easily led to error and hence to compromise and would sooner shade our light than suffer the complaints concerning its brightness.

Another recommendation, is the work of Thomas Brooks, Precious Remedies Against Satan’s Devices.    

I recently saw a post on, I think, Facebook, stating that believers were too interested in the devil.  I agree that one can have a very unhealthy fascination with the devil but ignorance of hisssssss devices is just as unhealthy!

In the life of the believer sin and Satan are the enemy who, through the grace and power of God we are to kill and resist.  In the life of the unbeliever sin and Satan are the means and the source for their attaining their goals – whether they believe in them or not.  One either serves God or Satan – there is no middle ground.

Unfortunately, we all have to work and be around wolves and snakes.  I think that is important to remember.

I’ve shared this before – My step-dad taught me, “Trust no living man and walk carefully around the dead.”  Sounds hard but it’s not bad counsel – think about it – we can only really trust the resurrected man – the Son of God.