And I sought for a man among them that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.
- Ezekiel 22:30
The ministry of the British preacher Charles Spurgeon was often marked by controversy, as opponents constantly criticized his work. One day a friend of Spurgeon’s remarked, “I hear you’re in hot water again”, Spurgeon answered, “I’m not the one in hot water. The other fellows are. I’m the man who makes the water boil.”
A Christian has the responsibility to be gentle and peace loving. The desire for controversy and argument is an ungodly trait, 2 Timothy 2:24-25. Too often folks are guilty of withdrawing from the battle because they are unwilling to take a stand or they may be afraid of saying something that needs to be said. We may become like the townspeople in the old cowboy shoot-em-ups who stayed behind their doors, leaving the courageous sheriff in the street alone to face the bad guys. Sooner or later the casualties are suffered on the side of the right because people were too cowardly to speak up.
We need to follow the example of the Lord, while gentle and humble in heart, Matthew 11:29 was also bold and forceful when pointing out error and hypocrisy in Matthew 23:12-36. He didn’t go looking for trouble, but when He found it He didn’t tuck and run.
Today the Lord’s churches need men and women who will stand in the gap like Joseph and Daniel, Deborah and Esther; men and women who are ready and willing to stand for that which is right, true and holy. We must work hard to maintain a sweet spirit. We must never go about looking for an argument, but we must always be ready to contend for the faith, Jude 3. May God never say to us, I searched for a man among them who should build up the wall and stand in the gap before Me for the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one.
Post Author: John J. Bagby, Sr.
Tags: Accountibility, Baptists, Beliefs, Bible, Christianity, Church Growth, Church Planters, Doctrine, Eternal Life, Expository Preaching, Faith, Family, Family Values, God, Godly Faithfulness, Landmark Baptists, Godly Responsibility, God’s Word, Pastors, Pastor’s Wives, Preachers, Religion, Scripture, Separation, The Cross, The Cross of Christ, Theology, Worship
The Amplified renders Ephesians 4:16 “ For because of Him the whole body (the church, in all its various parts), closely joined and firmly knit together by the joints and ligaments with which it is supplied, when each part (with power adapted to its need) is working properly (in all its functions), grows to full maturity, building itself up in love.
As the people of God, we are obligated to grow spiritually, 2 Peter 3:18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen. Paul condemned the church in Corinth because they had failed to move toward maturity in the faith, 1 Corinthians 3:1-3, And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.
I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? The Hebrew Christians were also chastised for not growing spiritually in the knowledge of God. Hebrews 5:12-14. God is displeased if we as His children are not growing into mature people by developing ourselves into the mind of Christ.
Let us identify some marks of spiritual maturity:
The ability to control anger and settle differences without violence or destruction, Philippians 4:1-7
The willingness to miss immediate pleasure in favor of long-term gain, Hebrews 11:24-26
The ability to continue in a task or a situation in spite of heavy opposition and discouraged setbacks, 1 Corinthians 15:58
The capacity to face unpleasantness and frustration discomfort and defeat, complaint or collapse, Galatians 6:9, I Corinthians 15:58
Being big enough to say, “I was wrong.” And when in the right, the spiritually mature person does not need the satisfaction of saying, “I told you so.” Luke 15:11-32
Possessing the ability to make a decision and complete it. The immature spend their lives exploring endless possibilities and then do nothing, Matthew 25:24-30; James 1:22-25
Are we maturing in our walk as the people of God? Do the above statements describe us?
Philippians 2:5 “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus”
Post Author: John J. Bagby, Sr.