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Pastors Faithful to Jesus Think for Themselves

Pastors Faithful to Jesus Think for Themselves

Over the years, I have had many conversations with pastors from a wide range of denominational backgrounds, and I have discovered that they, just like everyone else, fall into two general camps: those faithful to Jesus and those faithful to something else.

While pastors are human and, thus, are subject to the exact same temptations, struggles, and conflicts that every other person experiences, I am focusing on them in this blog because they are in a place of religious leadership, a place where they are sub-shepherds to the Great Shepherd and take on the responsibility of leading flocks of Christians, and because many people look to their pastors for answers and examples on what to do and how to live. Thus, if a pastor is incorrect or practicing wrong principles, their influence will cascade down and lead many others astray.

In Scripture, we see this happening with the religious leaders of Israel in Christ’s day as they influenced the people to doubt and distrust Jesus (John 7:13, 45–49; 9:22).

What could a pastor be faithful to other than Jesus? To doctrines, creeds, traditions, organizations, denominations, or church authorities. We see this in the history of Christianity when various priests and church leaders promoted loyalty to their organizations rather than to following the truth as God had revealed it.

God forewarned anyone who takes on the role of speaking for Him, the role of teaching people about Him, of leading the flock for Him, that they must remain loyal to Him over their seniors or leaders in the work. We find the story recorded in 1 Kings 13, in which a young prophet was instructed by God to give a message to the king and then return home without accepting food and drink. But the young prophet was met by another prophet of the Lord—not a false prophet, not someone from another religion, not a Baal worshiper, not someone who was unfaithful to the cause—who invited the young prophet to his home for food and refreshment. When the young prophet explained that the Lord had instructed him not to stop for any food or drink,

“The old prophet answered, ‘I too am a prophet, as you are. And an angel said to me by the word of the LORD: “Bring him back with you to your house so that he may eat bread and drink water.”’ (But he was lying to him.)” (1 Kings 13:18 NIV84).

The senior prophet was lying to the junior, and the younger prophet, rather than thinking for himself, rather than examining the evidence for himself, rather than choosing to follow the truth that he had understood God was directing him to do with his life, instead immediately submitted to his senior, surrendered his judgment to someone with more experience and time in the ministry, and went to his home for refreshment. The Bible continues the story,

“So the man of God returned with him and ate and drank in his house. While they were sitting at the table, the word of the LORD came to the old prophet who had brought him back. He cried out to the man of God who had come from Judah, ‘This is what the LORD says: “You have defied the word of the LORD and have not kept the command the LORD your God gave you. You came back and ate bread and drank water in the place where he told you not to eat or drink. Therefore your body will not be buried in the tomb of your fathers”’” (1 Kings 13:19–22 NIV84).

On the way home, the young man was killed by a lion. Yet the donkey he had been riding and the lion stood together beside the body—a manifestation that this was not natural predation (1 Kings 13:24, 25).

Why is this story in the Bible? Because God is warning people, particularly those who have accepted His call to be His agents, ministers, pastors, priests, prophets, teachers, missionaries—anyone who takes on the role of representing Jesus to others—that we must think for ourselves, we must understand the truth for ourselves, we must be loyal to God first and foremost, and on matters of truth, duty to God, the gospel message, and God’s calling on our lives, we must never surrender our thinking to those in senior leadership, church authority, tradition, or organizational hierarchy. This is what the apostle Paul demonstrated when he would not surrender the truth and his thinking to either the Jewish leadership or even to Peter when Peter was advocating error (Galatians 2:11). He wrote that every person must be fully persuaded in their own mind (Romans 14:5).

I know so many beautiful, good-hearted pastors who love Jesus and live and teach the truth, yet I have observed others act the role of the young prophet, with all good intention, without any rebelliousness to God in their heart, they betray the truth in an attempt to be loyal to the cause, the organizations, the traditions, the creeds, or their seniors in the work by following some other leader’s advice, directions, conclusions, or institutional instructions despite being convicted that the truth is unfolding and moving past where the current leadership or organization is functioning.

As we approach the final events before Christ’s return, we will see a shaking among the people—and that will include pastors and church leaders. And just as in Christ’s day, there will be many faithful people and leaders (Nicodemus, Joseph of Arimathea) who will break from their organizations and their stubborn leaders to stand true to Jesus. But sadly, many others will choose to be faithful to the system, the creeds, the traditions, the organization, and walk away from the truth.

This is a painful fact of history, a painful experience when it happens, but the faithful pastors will follow the truth where it leads, even if it leads away from the churches that they have devoted their lives to and which they love. One Bible commentary puts it this way:

“As the light and life of men was rejected by the ecclesiastical authorities in the days of Christ, so it has been rejected in every succeeding generation. Again and again the history of Christ’s withdrawal from Judea has been repeated. When the Reformers preached the word of God, they had no thought of separating themselves from the established church; but the religious leaders would not tolerate the light, and those that bore it were forced to seek another class, who were longing for the truth. In our day few of the professed followers of the Reformers are actuated by their spirit. Few are listening for the voice of God, and ready to accept truth in whatever guise it may be presented. Often those who follow in the steps of the Reformers are forced to turn away from the churches they love, in order to declare the plain teaching of the word of God. And many times those who are seeking for light are by the same teaching obliged to leave the church of their fathers, that they may render obedience” (The Desire of Ages, p. 232, emphasis mine).

I invite every person, pastor, priest, church leader, and parishioner to develop your God-given individuality and always think for yourself, study for yourself, and know the truth and voice of God for yourself. And when it comes to matters of truth, duty, and conscience, never surrender yourself to any other than Jesus Christ, but present the truth in love and leave others free to disagree and even reject and revile you (as the faithful through all history have experienced) as long as you are standing faithful with our Savior and His truth.

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Thank you for all of your work to correct misconceptions about God’s character. So many people that my husband and I have talked to seem to be against the natural law construct and view it as “errant” and “dangerous.” Having learned more about it through your blogs and lessons, I don’t really understand why they view it that way, except that it means they have to relearn theology they have known for their entire lives. But I’m so excited to relearn this. For the past few years I have been questioning how I could trust a God who punishes arbitrarily and is full of wrath for those who don’t obey His commands. That view made me afraid to “mess up” or “not be good enough,” even within my relationship with God. I really appreciated the point you bring out about God not wanting us to serve Him because we are afraid, but because we love Him.

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I am just writing to say that I have been so blessed by the teachings of Come And Reason Minitries recently. I watched last week’s bible study lesson on Youtube and am thankful that the error in the printed lesson guide you use was pointed out and this week’s study was of equal benefit, if not more so. My understanding of God’s nature has been very confused of late and I am so grateful for clarity in this matter. I have never really fully understood previously how a good God can cause bad things to happen and now I realise that He doesn’t, it’s a natural consequence of sin. May the almighty Father and His Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, continue to bless your ministry.

Laura P., United Kingdom

 

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Testimony 64

I’ve been reading the bible and walking with Jesus since I was around 16. I’m 42 now. I’ve mostly been alone in my walk although I went to several churches in different denominations. For the past 3 years God has been showing me His character of agape. It’s been a blessing and changed how I view God and my walk with Jesus. About a year ago I came across the power of love and the principles of design law. These teachings changed how I read scripture and have been such a beautiful blessing. I’m very excited and grateful for these truths. We share these truths of agape, design law and the reality of the principles of the two trees in the garden of Eden with people on Facebook and YouTube. People all over are learning to trust God and His agape design law which makes life possible. Thank you for everything you shared with me. May God continue to bless your ministry and lives.

Bradley M., Hinsdale, NY, USA

 

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Testimony 61

I grew up in a prominent protestant church and had what I like to call religious anxiety. I’ve always had questions about God and Salvation that no one could seem to answer.  I didn’t know how to find resolution. During 2020, at the height of my anxiety, I fell to my knees and begged God to show me truth and light and to give me the hope that I’ve been longing for. Days later, I stumbled upon your online videos and it was like a veil was lifted and EVERYTHING made sense! For the first time in my almost 39 years of life, my religious/spiritual anxiety has lessened. I feel a sense of freedom and peace I’ve NEVER had before… and it’s all because my view of God has changed. Thank you!

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Testimony 38

Since November 2015, when I started studying Gods word from this God Is Love point of view, my life has been transformed. My troubled marriage of 15 years has been healed and my husband and I are truly happy for the first time in 15 years. Now When I read the word of God I understand it so much better and I can’t help but see Gods love radiating through the pages to humanity. Gods word is living and active and I am blessed beyond measure to be having this amazing experience. God has given me a beautiful understanding of Jn 3:16 that amazes me more and more each day. Thank you again for your ministry.

Helen D., London, England

 

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I would just like to add my voice to the many people who, I believe, must have contacted you to express their appreciation for the “Healing the Mind” DVDs. I’ve been listening to your Bible study class discussions for many years and I’ve been personally blessed by your research and teaching about the character of God.

L. G., Oakland, MI, USA

 

Testimony 36

Thank you and may God continue to bless you as you share with others the intricacies of how we are all “fearfully and wonderfully made”. I must share that you have opened a whole new world to me, and I have found tremendous healing through what you have shared in two of your books, “Could It Be This Simple?” and “The God Shaped Brain.” I praise God for what you shared, what I have learned, and how I have grown and healed! My prayer is that My Precious Jesus will be seen by others in the way I live, act, talk, etc. and they may be encouraged to know He is truly a GREAT God of LOVE, desiring that no one should perish! God Bless you in your continued endeavors to present Him as He really is!

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I’m a youth leader in South Africa. We as a youth group are currently using a lot of the material on the Come and Reason site. Since we’ve started using the material, our youth group has grown.

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Ok, so last night I listened to “The Law of Liberty” and “How to Achieve Victory: Freedom, Truth and Spirtual Warfare.” These are both MY ABSOLUTE FAVORITES so far! The logic is just soooooo beautiful. I had to re-listen to them a couple of times. I just want to EXPLODE! (<< we assume with joy and happiness)

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Testimony 30

God lead me to your book “The God-Shaped Brain” while I was searching for another book about the brain and then to your interview about your book on HeartWise Ministries [where] I found out about [Come And Reason Ministries]. I’m now devouring the webcasts of your Bible studies. I have been so greatly blessed and I thank God so much for your courage to speak the Truth in love no matter what. Listening to you contrast the two opposing systems (laws) and digging deep to unearth the hidden treasures in the Bible makes me so incredibly happy and I feel very blessed to be part of your Bible Study Group although I live far away. I am just so excited that there is a group of people that is spreading the Truth about the character of God and it saddens me how few realize what our Father in Heaven is really like.

Kessy B., Australia