It amazes me sometimes how little we allow the word of God to affect our lives and thinking. There is name calling, some are legalists, others are liberals and we use those words to try to bring people into our way of thinking. Recently, while dealing with a couple going through a divorce, the husband was asking what made his wife get so far off base concerning spiritual things. It didn't take long to get his explanation, but it didn't come from me.
His wife had gone head-over-heels over a "woman pastor." In the discussion between the husband and wife, the question was asked what is a "woman pastor"? First, the term 'pastor' is used only once in the Bible. Ephesians 4:11 speaks of those the Lord gave in the church to equip the saints for the work of service, building up the body and helping it attain to the unity of the faith (Eph. 4:12-13.) Jesus being the head of His body had specific instructions on what He wanted to accomplish through certain men. The term 'pastor' has become in our day and society THE preacher in the local congregation. It is a title taken by themselves with little regard to what the Lord intended and in some religious groups, a woman wears that title. First, the word 'pastor' is masculine in the Greek! Secondly, the term is from the Greek word 'poimen' which is the word translated 'shepherd' referring to the eldership. The term 'pastor' is the noun form of the word 'shepherd.' Shepherds, pastors, elders are always in the plural. They were never a title given as a title to one man.
The result of the difference between the husband and wife? After showing the meaning and verses, the wife tells the husband, "Why don't you come with me and listen to her. She is powerful and always has a life changing message." It didn't matter what the word of the Lord said about matters, what mattered was what she wanted. It struck me that is exactly what the children of Israel did. In the book of Judges, they intermingled with the other nations and their religious ideas and it cost them dearly. God called them playing the part of a harlot because they had forsaken the word of the Lord for a false god. That seems to be the path of many today. "Come on over and listen!" seems to be the battle cry. God is tossed behind and the ideas of individuals take precedent. Israel was taken into ruin and plunder because God was not heeded with a whole heart.
Those of you who know me personally know I am not an attacking person but I am a man who tries to hold to the word of the Lord in honesty. I want heaven and want others there to. Seeing heaven is a place in the presence of God, shouldn't we be concerned that He is the ONLY one to have a say about who is there and who is rejected? Because of that, I want to stick with God and His word. What about you?
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