Reprobate Shepherds

More important than any other direction, Jesus’ commission to His under shepherds, beginning with the under shepherd, the apostle Peter, is and will always be – “Feed my flock.” Undoubtedly, Peter, as the under shepherd faithfully kept the charge, and as a veteran shepherd and mentor did commit the same charge given him of Christ to the shepherds to come after him instructing them, “Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God”s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.” 1 Peter 5:23.

In the literal nomadic life of arid and semi arid areas, it would be interesting to take note how the herdsmen take pain and courage of providing medical aid, water and pasture for their livestock. In more life examples, news broadcasts from the Sahara and sub Saharan regions have often told of stories of the great struggle exercised by the shepherds, before they can let go the life of the least of their animals. Jesus was acquainted with the life of the pastoralists. They were among the few chosen ones that were given the privilege of reporting to the first congregation assembled at Bethlehem about the Saviour’s birth after getting the news from the angels. What was it that necessitated their endurance in the chilly hours of the night” That they may tend and lead their flock to the virgin pastures along the mountain side. This care given by the shepherds to their flock is an example of the relationship between the church leaders as shepherds and the people as their flock.

“God has repeatedly shown that persons should not be encouraged into the field without unmistakable evidence that He has called them. The Lord will not entrust the burden for His flock to unqualified individuals. Those whom God calls must be men of deep experience, tried and proved, men of sound judgment, men who will dare to reprove sin in the spirit of meekness, men who understand how to feed the flock.” {1T 209}

A REVOKED COMMENDATION

In every way possible, we do expect the aforementioned similitude will match with those that bear the name of shepherds: to search for virgin pastures, provide fresh water and medical aid besides watching against predators that may endanger the flock. The address given to the shepherds has a marked variance to the address given to the shepherds of Israel. He [the Lord] talks to the shepherds of Israel through His agent[s] saying; “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD unto the shepherds; Woe [be] to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! should not the shepherds feed the flocks” Ye eat the fat, and ye clothe you with the wool, ye kill them that are fed: [but] ye feed not the flock. The diseased have ye not strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was sick, neither have ye bound up [that which was] broken, neither have ye brought again that which was driven away, neither have ye sought that which was lost; but with force and with cruelty have ye ruled them.” Ezekiel 34:2-4. In so doing, God confirms to all that have the favor of being co-workers with Him declaring this neglect of duty to be, “One of the greatest sins of the shepherds of Israel.” {5T P.346}

What portion is there for him who has slighted the divine call such as “”feed my flock”. There are but a few alternatives to choose from. One can either repent of his/her wrongs and be forgiven, or be given a probation season to come to a sense of sinfulness and reconcile with God through Jesus Christ, or when every other way seems unable to arouse the dead conscience expect to hear the terrible denunciation, “I know thy works” but because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.” Revelation 3:15. All who have enlisted themselves as young members of the heavenly family have this challenge before them but even more so to the shepherds; “But I saw that the ministers did not escape the wrath of God. Their suffering was tenfold greater than that of their people.” {Early Writings, p. 282}

“The Lord says, “Shall I not visit for these things” -Jer. 5:9. Because they failed of fulfilling God’s purpose, the children of Israel were set aside, and God’s call was extended to other peoples. If these too prove unfaithful, will they not in like manner be rejected”” COL 304. Certainly! “And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.” Jer. 3:15.

THE PATH TO REPROBATION

“Many feel that they are fitted for a work that they know scarcely anything about; and if they start to labor in a self-important manner, they will fail to receive that knowledge which they must obtain in the school of Christ. These will be doomed to struggle with many difficulties, for which they are wholly unprepared. They will ever lack experience and wisdom until they learn their great inefficiency.

“Very much has been lost to the cause by the defective labors of men who possess ability, but who have not had proper training. They have engaged in a work which they knew not how to manage, and as the result have accomplished but little. They have not done a tithe of what they could have done had they received the right discipline at the start. They seized upon a few ideas, managed to get a runway of a few discourses, and here their progress ended. They felt competent to be teachers, when they had scarcely mastered their “a b c” in the knowledge of the truth. The have been stumbling along ever since, not doing justice to themselves or to the work. They do not seem to have sufficient interest to arouse their dormant energies, or to tax their powers to become efficient workers. They have not taken pains to form thorough and well-devised plans, and their work shows deficiency in every part.” {GW 78-9}

Pertaining to the wish of becoming a shepherd, God’s thought in respect to this holy office will ever remain to be: “This [is] a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. 1 Timothy 3:1. How then is it possible that the work which the Lord God pronounces as “good work”” turns out to be reproached” Of the many reasons that underly such a reproach, the spirit of prophecy notes that; “Many who are teachers of the truth cease to be students, digging, ever digging for truth as for hidden treasures. Their minds reach a common, low standard; but they do not seek to become men of influence,–not for the sake of selfish ambition, but for Christ’s sake, that they may reveal the power of the truth upon the intellect.” Fundamentals of Christian Education, p. 120.

“The truths of the divine word can be best appreciated by an intellectual Christian. Christ can be best glorified by those who serve Him intelligently. The great object of education is to enable us to use the powers which God has given us in such a manner as will best represent the religion of the Bible and promote the glory of God.” Ibid 45.

In missing the great object of education, we are left to tread alone for rejecting knowledge, which equally calls upon the rejection of God on us, that we will not be His priests for having forgotten the law of our God. For this reason, “The way of peace they know not; and [there is] no judgment in their goings: they have made them crooked paths: whosoever goeth therein shall not know peace. Therefore is judgment far from us, neither doth justice overtake us: we wait for light, but behold obscurity; for brightness, [but] we walk in darkness. We grope for the wall like the blind, and we grope as if [we had] no eyes: we stumble at noon day as in the night.” Isaiah 59: 8-10. But why should the shepherds stumble when the light is at the very noonday, shining with all its glory”

THE PATH IN REPROBATION

Wherever the cause exists, the same results will follow. He who deliberately stifles his convictions of duty because it interferes with his inclinations will finally lose the power to distinguish between truth and error. The understanding becomes darkened, the conscience callous, the heart hardened, and the soul is separated from God. Where the message of divine truth is spurned or slighted, there the church will be enshrouded in darkness; faith and love grow cold, and estrangement and dissension enter. Church members center their interests and energies in worldly pursuits, and sinners become hardened in their impenitence. {GC 378-9}.

Precisely, Jesus in His cutting denunciations declares; “Let them alone; they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.” Matthew 15:14.

It pleases Satan to have it thus. “They are Satan’s faithful servants, notwithstanding they have assumed another name. Very many who profess to be shepherds have not known God. The natural heart has not been changed, and the canal mind remains at enemity with God.” {EW p.274}

“The enemy”s avowed determination and purpose will always remain to be what it had been ” to work from within while disguising himself to be an angel of light. He in times past used Judas to betray the only one that could reinstate the lost glory in humanity even Jesus Christ. Just like then, his determination is, “I will influence popular ministers to turn the attention of their hearers from the commandments of God. That which the Scriptures declare to be a perfect law of liberty shall be represented as a yoke of bondage. The people accept their minister’s explanations of Scripture and do not investigate for themselves. Therefore, by working through the ministers, I can control the people according to my will.” {TM 472}

In his cunning sophistry to supplant and mislead thoughts and ideas in the hearts of them that are called to work as the shepherds of God, thus rendering them blind and deaf to the counsels of God, he on the other hand leads the masses to fasten or rather merge their confidence on their leaders. Even when the leaders make open errors in decision[s] as in Christ’s day, the enslaved souls would first get an answer to the inquiry, “Have any of the rulers or the Pharisees believed on Him [Christ]”” John 7:48.What does this question infer” If the rulers/Pharisees [shepherds] had believed on Him, then they [flock/people] would also, because by example their leaders have taught them.

How possible can this way of learning/teaching be right” Dear reader, let’s have a deeper insight of the following episode of Christ”s resurrection. It follows that after a great earthquake; “And for fear of him [Jesus] the keepers did shake, and became as dead [men]. Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch came into the city, and showed unto the chief priests all the things that were done. And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers, Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him [away] while we slept. And if this come to the governor’s ears, we will persuade him, and secure you.” Matthew 28: 8, 11-14.

In brief, the rulers, Pharisees and the priest are telling the soldiers to tell the people that Jesus was not resurrected, but that His disciples came by night and stole Him while they slept; when in the real sense they knew every particular event that morning. How safe would the people be if they asked the question, “Have any of the rulers or the Pharisees believed on Him [Christ]”? John 7:48. This group was given full mandate and power to decide on behalf of the masses. How safe would this be when the said leaders/Pharisees have been blind leaders leading the blind” The calculation of Satan is very certain. He well knows that by captivating the shepherd[s], he too gets all that merge their individuality with the leaders [pastors, priests, bishops, rulers etc.]

THE PATH FROM REPROBATION

“There is need to be an elevated, uplifting power, a constant growth in the knowledge of God and the truth, on the part of one seeking the salvation of souls.”[Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers p.144].This constant growth in the knowledge of God and the truth will bid us to the grand call of the gospel by Christ when He [Christ] counsels us saying, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these “things” shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:23.

It”s vital to remark that the way forward is to obtain the additional things that our shepherds need to proceed in righteousness. “It is those who accept the warnings and cautions given them who will walk in safe paths. Let not men yield to the burning desire to become great leaders, or to the desire independently to devise and lay plans for themselves and for the work of God. It is easy for the enemy to work through some who, having themselves need of counsel at every step, undertake the guardianship of souls without having learned the lowliness of Christ. These need counsel from the One who says, “Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy-laden.”” {TM 501}

“God has placed in the church, as His appointed helpers, men of varied talents, that through the combined wisdom of many the mind of the Spirit may be met. Men who move in accordance with their own strong traits of character, refusing to yoke up with others who have had a long experience in the work of God, will become blinded by self-confidence, unable to discern between the false and the true. It is not safe for such ones to be chosen as leaders in the church; for they would follow their own judgment and plans, regardless of the judgment of their brethren.” {AA 279}

God’s call to all His children at the present moment beginning with the ministers and elders as it has ALWAYS been with the disciples is to exercise unity in diversity with sincerity from the heart and no reservations whatsoever. “And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.” 1Corinthians 12:6

“In order successfully to carry forward the work to which they had been called, these men, [disciples] differing in natural characteristics and in habits of life, needed to come into unity of feeling, thought, and action. This unity it was Christ’s object to secure. To this end He sought to bring them into unity with Himself. The burden of His labor for them is expressed in His prayer to His Father, “That they all may be one; as Thou, Father, art in Me, and I in Thee, that they also may be one in us; that the world may know that Thou has sent Me, and hast loved them, as Thou hast loved Me.” John 17:21, 23. Has this object changed to those called to the ministry in the present time” Never will it be because the Giver of this counsel never changes.

“In all the Lord’s arrangements, there is nothing more beautiful than His plan of giving to men and women a diversity of gifts. The church is His garden, adorned with a variety of trees, plants, and flowers. He does not expect the hyssop to assume the proportions of the cedar, nor the olive to reach the height of the stately palm. Many have received but a limited religious and intellectual training, but God has a work for this class to do, if they will labor in humility, trusting in Him. . . .

“Different gifts are imparted to different ones, that the workers may feel their need of one another. God bestows these gifts, and they are employed in His service, not to glorify the possessor, not to uplift man, but to uplift the world’s Redeemer. They are to be used for the good of all mankind, by representing the truth, not testifying to a falsehood. . . . In every word and act, kindness and love will be revealed; and as each worker fills his appointed place faithfully, the prayer of Christ for the unity of His followers will be answered, and the world will know that these are His disciples.” [Signs of the Times, Mar. 15, 1910].

“There are sinners in the ministry. They are not agonizing to enter in at the strait gate. God does not work with them, for He cannot endure the presence of sin. It is the thing that His soul hates. Even the angels that stood about His throne, whom He loved, but who kept not their first estate of loyalty, God cast out of heaven with their rebel leader. Holiness is the foundation of God’s throne; sin is the opposite of holiness; sin crucified the Son of God. If men could see how hateful sin is, they would not tolerate it, nor educate themselves in it. They would reform in life and character. Secret faults would be overcome. If you are to be saints in heaven, you must first be saints upon the earth. {TM 145.1}

“There is great need that our brethren overcome secret faults. The displeasure of God, like a cloud, hangs over many of them. The churches are weak. Selfishness, uncharitableness, covetousness, envy, evil-surmising, falsehood, theft, robbery, sensuality, licentiousness, and adultery, stand registered against some who claim to believe the solemn, sacred truth for this time. How can these accursed things be cleansed out of the camp, when men who claim to be Christians are practicing them constantly” They are somewhat careful of their ways before men, but they are an offense to God. His pure eyes see, a witness records all their sins, both open and secret; and unless they repent and confess their sins before God, unless they fall on the Rock and are broken, their sins will remain charged against them in the books of record” I tell you, my brethren and sisters, there is need of humbling your souls before God. “Cease to do evil,” but do not stop here; “learn to do well.” You can glorify God only by bearing fruit to His glory.” {TM 146}

A LASTING DESIRE

“I am instructed to say to our ministering brethren, Let the messages that come from your lips be charged with the power of the Spirit of God. If ever there was a time when we needed the special guidance of the Holy Spirit, it is now. We need a thorough consecration. It is fully time that we gave to the world a demonstration of the power of God in our own lives and in our ministry.

“The Lord desires to see the work of proclaiming the third angel’s message carried forward with increasing efficiency. As He has worked in all ages to give victories to His people, so in this age He longs to carry to a triumphant fulfillment His purposes for His church. He bids His believing saints to advance unitedly, going from strength to greater strength, from faith to increased assurance and confidence in the truth and righteousness of His cause.” {Ye Shall Receive Power 246}

The barriers separating believer from believer will be broken down, and God’s servants will speak the same things. The Lord will cooperate with His servants. All will pray understandingly the prayer that Christ taught His servants: “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.” (Matt. 6:10)

May the Lord’s grace help us perform the duties allocated to us, the lay members and the ministers alike in proportion to the talents allotted to each one of us, as members of Christ’s body. Amen.

John Riang’a Obwocha.