It is a trustworthy statement that every family depends on the guidance of its leader. It takes belief on part of the family to depend on him; and belief is caused only when the leader achieves something. If the head of the house is incompetent to lead the family in the right direction, what good is he and to whom does he benefit? His incompetence is by the lack of integrity. He would not only display his fraudulence to others, but will also lead and project his family in the same manner to the world. For this reason, we see many families in the pagan societies leading a false and corrupted life; many Christian families, churches and societies are not an exception to this either. It takes a man of God to lead God’s people! Then, who is he?
“Then the woman said to Elijah, ‘Now I know that you are a man of God and that the word of the Lord in your mouth is truth’” (1 Kings 17:24). This must enlighten all who preach the Word, be it a man or a woman. It takes faith on part of those who hear us to believe what we say are the true words of God. Belief appears in them only when the Word we speak produces fruits or results in their lives. People should experience God to believe and walk righteously in Him. Many strive to preach the gospel, but they do so with wrong motives and with intentions not of God, but of man.
Many that preach the gospel do not know what it takes to be a man of God. Elijah was a man just like us, but grew into becoming a man of God. He first guarded his heart and mind to be that man and for the Word of God to be in his mouth. Hence, he was able to help those in need of God. It is our way of life that makes people follow the true and living God. It should be our determination to work for the sake of God and not for people or the wealth that you receive from them. Ezra said, “For I was ashamed to request from the king troops and horsemen to protect us from the enemy on the way, because we had said to the king, ‘The hand of our God is favorably disposed to all those who seek Him, but His power and His anger are against all those who forsake Him’” (Ezra 8:22).
Why do people speak the Word of God without consulting Him? Is it not because they do not seek His hand upon them? They pretend to be men and women of God only to deceive those who hear them. When we say that God is with us, why do we seek unjust gain? Does anyone think God is being deceived? We should even be ashamed to desire illicit gain and trade the Word of God for wickedness.
The reason behind the frailty of Christianity is that most of us seek the gain that comes from it, but not godliness. This has become a form of idolatry among us. Dear brethren, we ought to be careful lest we be counted as one among the godless gentiles. “Let all those be ashamed who serve graven images, who boast themselves of idols; Worship Him, all you gods” (Psalm 97:7). Many speak boisterously about the power of God, His blessings, and even His cursing, but how is it that many are always caught in their unchangeable wickedness? Few good characteristics cannot make a man righteous! We ought to realize that His power and His anger are against all those who forsake Him. It is not an easy task to change from our old habits. It might even seem impossible to do it; nevertheless, the hand of God upon us will make it possible! Hence, it should be our desire to become His children to receive the immeasurable gifts hidden in Him. It is for us to wait for Him that we may not be put to shame by the things or persons around us. Then, we will receive glory from Him only to the praise of His name. “Kings will be your guardians, and their princesses your nurses. They will bow down to you with their faces to the earth and lick the dust of your feet; and you will know that I am the Lord; Those who hopefully wait for Me will not be put to shame” (Isaiah. 49:23).
When we do not consult God concerning His work it reveals our arrogance. It may seem we might be doing the right thing, but evil mightily works in us. The result of it will be painful. Those who proclaim would suffer along with those who hear them. Children consult their parents and slaves consult their masters, but those who proclaim the Lord do not consult Him. Therefore, the Lord says, “The Lord God has sworn by Himself, the Lord God of hosts has declared: ‘I loathe the arrogance of Jacob, And detest his citadels; Therefore I will deliver up the city and all it contains” (Amos 6:8).
O those who preach the God’s Word, take care that you do not lose what He has given you. It is not for us to rebel against Him, but to be like His Son, Jesus, who is an example as to how one ought to live and lead God’s children. Do not fall into the wicked temptations of Satan, but teach that which you received from God. “They questioned Him, saying, “Teacher, we know that You speak and teach correctly, and You are not partial to any, but teach the way of God in truth” (Luke 20:21). Do not be like the Pharisees and Scribes who tested Jesus. Believe that God is truth and speak the truth; be a Man of God!
Believe in God with your whole heart casting all your anxiety on Him and His power will work mightily in you. He will lead you to lead many into becoming His children. Consult God, preach the good news and the name of Jesus Christ, not the self made doctrine and you will be able bring many people to Christ to satisfy your soul. “But when they believed Philip preaching the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were being baptized, men and women alike” (Acts 8:12).