Some time ago I was sitting in a “Church” service and heard the preacher say this…Sheep are very dumb,they were made to be followers of someone who leads them. They follow their own kind. He used the leaders of any organized church as an example. Sheep will follow one of their own. Just what did he mean? Was he correct? Today we will look at the Word of God and see if it agrees with this line of thought.
Most pastors are taught to portray themselves as being sinless or at least that is the how their followers see them. We as sheep are afraid of them and we keep our distance from them. They might see the secret sins that we all have. But then, why do we follow what they are teaching? Remember God has set some in the Church (us) to be leaders and we need them, but He also put in each of us the ability to discern if they are correct, and this is why I constantly admonish each of you to read the Bible for yourself. Take notes at each service you go to. Then in your private time at home, study them and prove them by the Word of God for yourself.
If they are teaching from the Word and not mans doctrine, they will see that they are sheep also, and should act accordingly. Leaders be real before your sheep and they will be real before God. The Bible declares the sheep know Gods voice. If that is so, (and it is) then you do not have to scare or shame them into rushing to the front to be prayed for, they will willingly follow the Lord through correct teaching. Lead, and the sheep will follow.
Here is a short list of scriptures for you to read and study, John 10:2-5, sheep hear his voice, John 10: 7-9, salvation by Jesus alone, John 10:16, the lost sheep of the world (us), John 10:27-28, once again the sheep hear the voice of the shepherd and follow him. In the examples I have just listed are mostly about the lost sheep of Israel, all except John 10:16, and in this one Jesus is talking about the Gentiles or the rest of the world. It is also written “all have been chosen, but few will follow.”
The people or sheep will respond to His calling if just asked. We know His voice, as it is embedded in our hearts, because we are created in Gods image, and we know our creators voice. We are imprinted at conception with it. Just what is this voice we are supposed to hear? This is the most often asked question, and it can be answered in just a few words or even one word. Bible, or Gods word.
We as sheep know this voice (the Word of God) and by being believers we can follow it as our plan of action for everyday life. But, we have to read it daily to hear this voice correctly. Not that God can not speak to us with words, but they wil never go against His written word. That is our constant anchor to hold on to.
Our path is the narrow one, only in the fact that it is the one not chosen by the multitudes, as they are being led by their senses (voice of the stranger) and we are being led by our heart and His voice (Bible). This is the narrow path, Christianity is a lifestyle, whereas Religion is a game of rules and man searching for God.
Christianity is the only one where God came searching for man, giving up his life for us on the cross, being resurrected on the third day. This is the only religion in the world that this wonderful thing happened, to secure us and pay our debt that we could not pay.
As I have said in past blogs, this last year has been very difficult for me and my lovely wife Ingrid. She has finished her race and has followed Jesus into the real world of eternal life with Him. I am still here and the words of Paul are constantly ringing in my ears (Philippians 1:23-24), that it is needful for me to stay here for you my family as I have much more to say to you before I go home too.
I am so lonely without her, but I will continue to run my race until I hear Him say, “Well Done”, as I step over the finish line and be declared a winner. I do not know where this new year will lead me, but, I am determined to follow His lead as I move back to Kentucky and rebuild my life of being a sheep following Him.
Always remember you will make it, just don’t give up. Life is hard but we must endeavor to take it one day at a time and not get overwhelmed. Please continue to follow His leading as He takes your hand to help steady your feet as you walk this very difficult life in this world. Keep your focus on Him and you will not stumble,
I hope this letter has been of some use to you in your own walk of life on this earth we call home. Remember Jesus is the only way to Heaven. See you next time as we follow Jesus one second at a time.
In His Service as Kilted Priest, Owen
The Kilted Priest 