What kind of person speaks for God?
Jun 3, 2011
The Race for Grace - part one in a study of the book of Galatians
By Mike Gaudet
Some people encourage spiritual growth.
Other people discourage spiritual growth.
How can we tell one from the other?
“I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel — which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ.” Galatians 1:6-7
In the early days of their spiritual journey the Christians living in Galatia (the central region of present day Turkey) were making steady progress spiritually. The instruction and encouragement they received from the apostle Paul enabled them to move closer both to God and to one another.
After Paul departed to plant churches elsewhere, other “missionaries” arrived on the scene. Their discouraging influence was devastating. In the wake of their “ministry” the Galatians were mistrusting Paul and mistreating one another.
Paul’s first order of business was to identify the source of the Galatians spiritual problem. “Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ.” The behavioral issues were symptoms. The disease itself was belief-based.
Paul traced the problem to the influence of intruding spiritual leaders who misrepresented God and misused the Bible. Because of the influence of these “misguided ministers” the Galatian Christians were “deserting the one” who called them and were “turning to a different gospel.”
Throughout his ministry, Paul’s toughest opponents weren’t secular . . . they were sacred. This was Jesus’ experience as well. He warned His disciples to, “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.” Matthew 7:15
When we read the phrase “wolves” in “sheep’s clothing” we naturally think of wolves dressed like sheep. Jesus identifies a greater threat. Wolves dressed like shepherds! Jesus told His disciples that the greatest danger to His flock comes when those who prey upon His sheep are the very ones who are supposed to be caring for them.
How can we distinguish between shepherds and wolves?
Jesus described the nature of His spiritual influence in this way: “I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:30
Conversely, Jesus characterized the influence of false spiritual authority in this way: “They tie up heavy loads and put them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them.” Matthew 23:4
The spiritual influence of shepherds will feel like a “light” burden. The spiritual influence of wolves will feel like a “heavy” load. When spiritual leaders “tie up heavy loads and put them on men’s shoulders” it is evidence of misguided spiritual influence.
It’s important to remember that wolves don’t hate sheep. They need to eat them to survive. This is the problem with wolves posing as shepherds. It’s not that they dislike those they serve . . . quite the opposite. Wolves consume the devotion of those they serve because they need to.
So, what kind of person speaks for God?
Shepherds who speak on Jesus’ behalf are “gentle and humble in heart.”
Jesus’ shepherds will help you to “find rest for your souls.”