As a good friend of mine recently stated, "We shouldn't be shocked or surprised by anything that is happening within our churches, God said it in His word. Few people take the time to read that part."
The word teaches us to put on "the whole armour of God" It teaches us to view the Word as "alive and active", "sharper than a two edged sword". Somehow, we forget that it is a roadmap to be used and applied daily. Whether this is due to watered down preaching of the Word or because we, as Christians, are not taking the time to read it. Some only read what our Pastors might preach from on Sunday's. Yet we are told to seek it and know it for ourselves. God may want us to know more than just what is spoon fed to us on Sunday. To grow and mature in our walk and therefore our faith. Then we cannot be shaken.
Psalm 119:160 says that "all His words are true, all His laws are right and they will endure forever". This means that we are to listen to and heed His warnings. We should not follow man, but align everything said with scriptures and only then know if it is of God. This includes our Pastors. If they are not living by the Word they preach, if they are doing things contrary to the Word in any way - do not assume they are leading you in the right direction just because they are titled "Pastor". And we certainly should not enable them in their behavior and sin. Seems obvious doesn't it? Prov. 16:17 and 19 "The highway of the upright avoids evil; he who guards his way, guards his life...Better to be lowly in spirit and among the oppressed than to share plunder with the proud." We will never benefit from following anyone that is not first following Christ.
There are MANY wonderful, Godly, upstanding Pastors in our churches. Make no mistake in assuming that I am trying to bash or undermine Pastor's or their authority. I am simply saying that somehow in the church we assume that no Pastor should be questioned because that means you question God. This is absolutely false. Any good, God fearing Pastor would agree.
Prov.15:33 says, "The fear of the Lord teaches a man wisdom, and humility comes before honor." If a Pastor is above being questioned, or worse, sets up the church in a way that keeps Him from being held accountable, watch out. If you follow him and submit to doing things though the Holy Spirit convicts you, then you better repent fast and change your course. Because "the eyes of the Lord are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good". If you stand up for righteousness in the face of evil, in the right way of course, then you are covered and protected by the Lord. (Psalm 91)
Psalm 97:10-11 "Let those who love the Lord hate evil, for He guards the lives of His faithful ones and delivers them from the hand of the wicked. Light is shed upon the righteous and joy on the upright in heart."
Rest assured, the men at Shiloh and other churches that have followed a man and not God, are going to pay a high price. I wonder if they ever weighed what was being asked of them against scriptures? Do we? I know there are times when I act or react out of selfish nature instead of according to the Word. When this happens, the second it happens, I have moved myself out from under His umbrella of protection. I have opened the door for the enemy. I can repent and step back under His grace, but there may still be consequences. With all of that being said, just in case you missed it, see the post below. Posted by one of our faithful readers, keeping us informed. Thank you.
Article in 3/13/09 Times Union:Jacksonville church was aware of pastor's sexual misconduct, insurer claims Safeco...
http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2009-03-13/story/insurer_claims_church_aware_of_misconduct
