But there were also
false prophets among
the people, even as
there will be
false teachers
among you,
who will secretly
bring in destructive
heresies,
even denying the Lord
who bought them,
and bring on themselves
swift destruction.
2Peter 2:1
Church-goers flock to Churches that have extravagant "shows" and eloquent speakers. The emphasis on revelatory gifts are promoted as though those gifts are the mark of a Christian; they are not, for many of those revelatory gifts can be found to be practiced by pagans. Jesus speaks of what is true of a Christian: "and said (Jesus, my addition), 'Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 18:3). A Christian is not one that can spew out gibberish as though God would hear that one speaking as though it was necessary for spirituality, nor are people to cloister themselves, as did the monks; we give such admiration to the "Desert Fathers." Jesus makes it plain by calling upon Christians to become as little children, that is, to be taught, to have faith, as does a little child, and then to be converted, not just make a decision. We speak little of conversion but that is the heart of Christianity; people are converted. A decision is not necessarily a conversion for you may decide one way today and another the next day, but a conversion is to completely change, to repent, which means to turn around 180 degrees and walk completely different, to become devoted to our Savior Jesus Christ. Becoming converted to Christianity is not like going to Europe where the electricity is DC (Direct Current) and here in the United States we have AC (Alternating Current) and for our, i.e., hair dryer to work in Europe we need a converter. That conversion is instantaneous, but that is not true of Christian conversion. Yes, we are considered righteous and are immediately sanctified in the eyes of God for He sees us through His Son, but our conversion. and our sanctification in this life, is a daily work and the final conversion and sanctification, will be in heaven, that is if you are willing to be taught as a little child. We need help! God provided that help by gifting some to be teachers.
The Greek word for teacher is: "διδάσκαλος" and is a noun and means teacher, not just instructor, although teaching requires instruction, but as a Christian to be able to teach the things of God. Some are specially gifted to be teachers but this does not remove the necessity for all to be able to teach, especially fathers who are to instruct and teach their wives, and children; they are the head of the home are they not? But some just remain as children, or tacitly approve of what is being taught them, lazily accepting Christianity. This attitude as not lost on the writer of Hebrews: "For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food" (Hebrews 5:12). Paul in writing to the Roman Church spoke of the need for teachers and for what teachers are to do as teachers: "Indeed you are called a Jew (A Christian; my addition), and rest on the law, and make your boast in God, and know His will, and approve the things that are excellent, being instructed out of the law, and are confident that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, and instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, having the form of knowledge and truth in the law. You, therefore, who teach another, do you not teach yourself?....(Romans 2:17-21a). It is often true as in the case of John the Baptist that by their special God given abilities, the gift of teacher, draw large crowds. It is not the largeness of the crowds that are important, it is the words of the teacher that are most important, it is the motives of the teacher that are important, it is that the teacher is not only gifted by the Holy Spirit but is led and guided by the Holy Spirit. Do not be fooled, or misled, and then attend a euphoric atmospheric Church because their services are dynamic and seemed to have the Holy Spirit. Are they teaching God's word?
I have written about the five gifts of the Holy Spirit, those gifts that are relevant for the Church today, to lead the parishioners in the truth of God's word, there are the prophet, the evangelist, the Apostle, the pastor, and the teacher. You may be one of those that God has given one of those gifts. You may be called to use your gift(s) in foreign lands as a missionary, or to be a force within your congregation, whatever, use your gift, pray that God will enlighten you as to your gift, read your Bible where the Holy Spirit will instruct you. In the very least, teach your family God's word by taking time for prayer, Bible study, and speak often to your family members about God, not just a testimony, but about God, His Holiness, and His redemption by Jesus Christ. You may not have that God given gift of teacher, but you are to teach, first yourself, then others, don't be a apathetic Christian. God will not use you unless you place yourself in the position to be used. Choose your leaders according to the truth that they preach and teach and this you do by being familiar with God's word because we are asked to remember those who are our leaders: "Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you (Not teach you how to achieve some revelatory gift, my addition), whose faith follow, consider the outcome of their conduct" (notice that last phrase, "consider their conduct, be aware"). "Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive (not pathetically apathetic, my addition), for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you" (Notice that warning; " that would be unprofitable for you")" (Hebrews 13:7, 17).
Then the LORD answered Job
out of the whirlwind, and said:
"Now prepare yourself like a man;
I will question you, and you
shall answer Me."
Job 40:6-7
We are servants of God
Richard L. Crumb
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