Fear Man? – Matthew 10:28 “And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”
As Christians, why do we fear man? To be clear, I’m referring to other Christians, not the “world.” Preachers will expound with great energy and excitement Matthew 10:28, but will many times chase the sheep instead of guiding or leading. Better yet, some will allow a deacon board or committee to chase, herd, and corral the sheep. Yep, there is a reason why mature, Godly, and Christ-like Christians become desensitized to the “leading” in a church.
Do you know how many times I have heard:
- “God has a purpose for you, fulfill that purpose”
- “don’t let a man stand in your way”
- “the standard is God, not man”
- “measure up to Christ because man will fail you”
And all the while, I knew the preacher did not believe what he was saying nor did he intend to practice it.
The parable in Matthew 22 has this phrase, “For many are called, but few are chosen.” No truer words have ever been spoken if this verse applies to the church today. The church has made it their duty to legitimize and, cloak with credibility, the call of God on a saint’s life. It’s no wonder so many Christians have left the church and now are on the sidelines. Unfortunately, cliques, church politics, deacon boards, and committees decide if a person is called of God. Shameful! How do you know that the Pastor you have is “called” of God? Oh, because he said so…Really? Maybe he isn’t called of God and simply a great speaker who engages a crowd well.
1 John 4:18 “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.”
If our churches practiced true love, then, maybe fear would be dampened. It is a dark time in our churches when a Christian fears going to a Pastor for any reason whatsoever. Our love will not be perfect until we recognize Christ in His rightful place of supremacy. Once we see Him as He is, high and lifted up, then love and fear gain perspective.
Perspective: The Pastor is not the Head of the Church
Christ’s ownership of the church – Acts 20:28
Christ’s headship over his church – Colossians 1:18
Christ’s Authority – Matthew 28:18
The Bible as the governing document of the church – Hebrews 4:12, 2 Timothy 3:16,17 & 2 Peter 1:20,21
If we fear approaching a Pastor, deacon, teacher, evangelist, or another lay person; it seems, our love is not perfect and our fear is displaced. You see, if our love for Christ and our reverential fear of Him was number one, then, hopefully, our fear of man would be lesser and take its proper place, the back seat.
Psalm 119:165 “Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.”
So, the challenge is this: Dear saint, do not allow your fear of man to dissuade you from doing what God wants you to do. Do not allow a deacon board to ruin your church. Do not allow an ordination committee to decide your fate. Do not allow the constitution and by-laws to overshadow God’s Word. Why? Because we all will stand before the Great Judge, Christ, and give account. The man on this earth attempting to stifle your call from God, is just that, a man. You’ll not answer to him! Articles Of
There is a huge need for the “unchurched” who once served and are now on the sidelines. Read about my burden
From a missionary that I admire:
If our children and grandchildren do not hear us speak in faith, where will they find hope? Where will they find the faith to live boldly in our ever-increasingly wicked world? We serve the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. He still sits on the throne of the universe. Let us be people who look to Him in faith, who live in faith, and who speak in faith!