26/06/2021 - THE TRUE SHEPHERD

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But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them. John 10.12

We can think of the hireling revealed here as the lying doctrine that whoever serves God must live in trouble and need. According to this false understanding, such a person can even sin, because, having been saved, he will never lose his salvation. This is not what Jesus teaches. He talked about salvation like this: And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved (Matt. 10:22). Be persevering!

The hireling is the shepherd who leaves the sheep for any reason, even if it seems fair because his biggest commitment is to himself. Nothing can separate us from the love of Christ, even if it is the destruction of our family (Matt. 10.37; Rom. 8.38,39). Why doesn’t God work if we have served Him? If we are in a trial and we are not to blame for what happens, we must resist to the point of blood and never flee.

Those who are not shepherds ignore whom God has put under their shepherding, to give them nourishment in due time. Did you know that each one will give an account for what he has done or failed to do even in times of persecution, crisis or sickness in himself and his family? (Rom. 14:12). Where is your faithfulness to the Lord? Does it only exist when everything is going well? Why allow yourself to be led by the devil who makes you a mercenary? Mercy!

The sheep never belong to man, but some make a profit out of them, or who satisfy their carnal desires. They should be prepared because sooner than they think, they will be called to account for what they have done with the flock entrusted to them. The best thing is to let the devil talk to himself, and you stay with God. Resist, and so you will not stumble or at the feet of the evil one. Only bend yourself before the Lord!

What would you say about your father, or pastor, if he ran away from the wolf and left you behind when you were still a child? Think about who has been entrusted to you, because the Bible commands: Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour (1 Pe 5.8). The shepherd is as subject to temptations as his sheep. He must follow through to the end, or prepare for Judgment!

Why run away if Jesus didn’t give us that example? No matter what price you have to pay; if the Almighty has put it as your trial, face it. The Word of God warns about the duty of the good soldier of the cross, saying: But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry (2 Tim 4.5). During difficulties, the Lord will show that He is by your side, and you will see the great deliverance that will come to you.

Jesus said that the wolf will scatter and snatch the sheep. Don’t carry the guilt of having abandoned them! The servant of God needs to be at the feet of Christ, clean and ready to resist in any situation. Don’t let the adversary deceive you. Prove your love for God unconditionally by serving Him with all your heart. 

In Christ, with love,

R. R. Soares