THE MORNING DRIVE

When I go to work, I drive country roads, away from the mainstream, that winds among rural homes set upon one acre lots or more and feeding eventually to a frontage road along the major highway which leads to my workplace. Next to my workplace is a truck stop that is frequented by numerous state police and county sheriffs.

THE SHERIFF

I have noticed during my morning drives, a county sheriff who drives practically the same route. He always heads for the truck stop. Several times he has been behind me but this particular morning he was just ahead. I maintained the speed limit and while doing so, I observed him quickly leave me behind. What I am trying to say is, he was speeding all the way to the truck stop. I could faintly see his tail lights a mile ahead on the frontage road and gaining distance.

BE EXAMPLES

Who polices the police? I am not sure of the answer to that. I can not imagine them writing tickets against each other. As I pondered this paradox, my mind drifted to teachers and preachers of God’s word. They are not really policemen perse in the spiritual matter of things (although some of them try) nor should they be. Their responsibility is teaching the truth from God’s Word. But, as a teacher, they should do all they can to practice what they teach. For that is only right. All teachers are under the microscope being scrutinized in their actions by their students and those who know them as teachers. They must practice the art of walking the talk. They are to be careful to not be as the Pharisees whom Jesus tells people, “Do as they teach but do not do as they do.”.

THE TEMPTATION

If not, then the effects could be something of chaos in the spiritual world. Was I tempted to do the same as the sheriff and speed on? Of course. After all, if it is okay for him to speed on to breakfast, it should be okay for me to speed on to work, right? No, it is not right nor did I follow my temptation. I know the law because it has been hammered into my brain. To go over the posted speed limit is…..speeding, and against God himself to do so. (Rom 13:1-7: Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same; for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil. Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience' sake. For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing. Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.) I have learned that too.

PERSONAL GOALS

As an elder, I also know that I am watched and held to higher expectations. After all, it is the elders who are responsible for ensuring that the truth of God’s Word is not maligned, misunderstood and mistaught in the church. It is they who are to oversee arguments between God’s children and to offer advice on all the fore mentioned. They pray over those in dire straights and guide the flock. They are similar to policemen is these ways. Not to ‘Lord’ over but to guide and to discipline if necessary. I must do all I can to walk in accordance to that which I so strongly uphold; the truth and purity of God’s Word. Am I always successful? I’m sorry to say that I am not, but I never stop trying to better myself and my attitude.

SAY NO

Additionally, each person is responsible for themselves. No matter who you are and what position you may hold in the church, leader or not, you must do your best to avoid temptations. To say “No” to responding to a wrong against you with anger, malice and revenge. To say “No” to temptations the internet offers you as porn behind closed doors and the backs of your family and friends. To say “No” to skimming a little money here and there or cheating on a difficult up coming test. To say “No” to doing something you shouldn’t simply because “everyone else does it”.

YOUR APPROACH

The list is almost endless but the answer is simple, isn’t it? Before any of us comes to the temptation of pounding on someone in the brotherhood whom we perceived as sinning, we had better pause and examine ourselves. Then, our first question to ourselves should always be, “Could I have misunderstood what I saw or heard or perceived?” Doing this allows you to give the person in question a benefit of the doubt. Then, if the “offense” still plagues you, approach the brother in that exact attitude; with care and with agape love that we all owe to each other. For that is what has been offered to you by your God and Savior first. Use the steps taught to you by the scriptures. (Matt 18:15-17: If your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother. But if he does not listen to you, take one or two more with you, so that by the mouth of two or three witnesses every fact may be confirmed. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.)

DON’T FORGET TO PRAY

Lastly, do not forget to pray. Pray for yourself first. Pray for forgiveness, and pray for strength to approach the stumbling brother with wisdom (for you may actually be the wrong one), patience (for they may respond in anger from embarrassment or confusion) and unconditional love. Pray for them that they will respond properly and with forgiveness or repentance if it should be necessary. Leave anger and resentment out of the equation and you will gain a stronger bond with those you truly love in Christ’s church. Never assume the worst but always assume the best and work from that. It is easier to deal with disappointment than having to eat crow and back peddle because of a misunderstanding on your part.

As for the sheriff…..perhaps he was hard pressed because of a nature call. You never know.

1 John 4:7-10:  Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.  He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.  In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.  In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.  Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

(Written by David Johnson)