15/07/2019 - EAGER TO SERVE

• 
• 
• 
• 

Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; 1 Peter 5.2

Every convert to the Gospel has a noble mission here on Earth: feed God´s flock. If the servant of the Lord is a shepherd, he must not only guide those under his authority, but his family and servants. The same must happen in other areas: teachers should mentor their students, and employers, their collaborators.

We need to watch over those entrusted to us; otherwise, we will be held accountable for the harm they suffered. Those who did not evolve unto the whole measure expected by the Lord also deserve our attention. This dedication must be that of a shepherd, who seeks the best pastures so that his sheep are fed well, and in still waters that they may be refreshed (Psalm 23:2, 3).

In the Kingdom of God force is not used, but the wisdom of the Holy Spirit. Even if a person is about to destroy himself we can´t use our own strength, for if that person does not answer the Lord, they will certainly not answer us. To disregard the move of the Spirit of God is to despise the best that can be given to those who need to be rescued. Its best that they are free from the lion, bear, and other predators (1 Samuel 17:34, 35).

When guiding his congregation in the wisdom of the Holy Spirit, the pastor will not have to alter his voice or rebuke the people harshly. When they give the Word, having been warned by the Lord of what is to happen to one of his sheep, they will be protected. But some people will behave like Peter, who, upon being warned by the Good Shepherd that Satan had asked to sift him, despised the warning and was hurt.

The spirit of greed must never dwell in the church, at home, not even in those who serve God in school or in a business. The Most High expects that we will grow in faith to the point of not lacking anything, but rather help others who lack the same type of faith or have not yet developed it. When walking with Christ we will always have hope and apply our faith, succeeding over all things.

Be ready to face the enemy, just as David fought with the lion and the bear and killed them when they tried to snatch his sheep. We can´t allow the devil to snatch any of those whom He placed under our care. We must protect them from the bad and strange doctrines, as well as the practices condemned by the Scriptures.

Finally, we must remember: the flock given to us by the Lord is His. One day we will have to give an account of each life. That´s why no one must get lost because of us. Jesus spoke about this to the Father, “While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me. None has been lost (John 17:12a). Christ showed how to proceed, so let us do the same.

In Christ, with love,

R. R. Soares