And it will be, like people, like priest. Hosea 4:9 

We often expect pastors and people in ministry to be more holy than we are, even to be holy in place of us. But since our religious leaders arise from among us, if we are lukewarm then it stands to reason that many spiritually compromised people will seek to become religious leaders.  A godless culture pollutes the purity of the church and a lukewarm church is unaware that there is even anything wrong. 

But once in a while there are exceptions. A Christian leader can arise out of obscurity, untainted by the world. Though he was raised in our times, God cupped His hands around his spirit and preserved his conscience. He may have tasted of this world, even sinned in a big way, but once he met Jesus, he only had eyes for the Savior. He immediately saw the disparity between this world and the kingdom where Jesus reigns. There was no turning back. Once he heard the compelling voice of Jesus say, “Come, follow me,” everything else paled in significance. 

This kind of man or woman is heaven’s magnet, attracting those who look for God and repelling those who hate Him. Their brilliant witness resembles that of Jesus. His words did one of two things; they entered the heart of the listener and transformed him, or it penetrated the environment, bringing a sword instead of peace. Because the road to ultimate destruction is wide, most rejected Him. 

We often believe that a pastor or Christian leader will be nice, well respected in town, and well-liked by most everyone. But actually, especially in today’s culture, that may be a warning sign. Jesus did not blend in with His contemporaries. He was distinctive. He loved well but He was also confrontational.  He was willing to be despised by those who fell under the conviction of His words. May we pray for our priests, our spiritual leaders, that in our post-Christian era, they will be the way Jesus described John the Baptist. “John was like a lamp, burning and shining.” John 5:35

Forgive me for all the times I failed to rock the boat.  Amen