Dear Preacher-Feeling Lonely?
GET USED TO IT!
Who ever said it was always easy to stand for right, must have never stood for right. It’s not always easy, and it’s not always fun, nor appreciated by fellow comrades. But our motivation to faithfulness must go beyond fleshly consequences and future applause. We must stand on the foundation of TRUTH.
Using the Bible as an example, you will not read far until you realize that our heroes of the past were lonely servants. These patriarchs of the faith lived sheltered, separated and even criticized lives. Time and space would not allow me to list the great biblical host that could be included. So, as it was in their day, so shall it be in our day.
May I say at this point, God has always had those that were willing to stand in days gone by, and He will have some in our day; yet we all know they are few and far between. The last five years of my life have been revealing years of the subject at hand. I have seen good men sell out to save them from the rigid life of being lonely. To endure loneliness from those that are with out must be expected, but the blunt of this truth will surface in your heart when you see those that are supposed to be on your side begin to pull away. The pressure that comes from within our own movement has caused many men to reconsider and change their stand.
I will mention just a few reasons why we will live lonely lives in these last days, if we stand for the truth.
PEOPLE WILL TURN FROM THE TRUTH. II Tim. 4:4 – Our churches are full of people that can not take straight Bible preaching. They want a church where sin is never exposed or dealt with, and if the man of God dare to preach against any thing, they are quick to change churches. People want to be entertained with emotional experiences and fables, but one straight Bible message will blow them out – I say let them go!!!
PREACHERS ARE TARGETED BY THE DEVIL. Paul talked about men that were sent in by the Devil to withstand his work. All God called men are targets the Devil is aiming at. Stand for what is right, and see if you are not under daily attack of the enemy. Many men have changed and fallen because they get tired of the battle. Different days bring different battles and they never end or go away. It’s a price we must all pay to be identified with Christ and truth.
PRESSURES OF POLITICS – I know we claim to be independent indigenous in our movement, yet we are guilty of having controlling leaders within our ranks. So, if you don’t conform and follow, you become one of their most wanted, and are placed on the hit list. They will lie about you and your family, they will laugh at your service for the Lord, they will belittle your honest effort of dedication, and make sure that none of the “camp” has any thing to do with you. Our congregation of clicks, camps, and schools has become the golden calf that has caused a huge cancer in our spiritual health.
So, how do we overcome the prison of loneliness? I will tell you how God delivered me from all of the above. I had to go through a divorce – a divorce from public opinion. Get to the place where the favor a man holds no value to your commitment to Jesus Christ. Oh happy day when you allow God to deliver you from the pressure of politics!
By the way, you’ll never stand alone, II Tim. 4:17 – Paul said the Lord stood with me – freedom from man brings the fellowship of Christ. Paul said that the Lord not only stood with him, but also strengthened him – God so loves to see a man willing to stand alone, that He will give him the strength to do so.
In closing, may I clarify motive as well as action concerning our stand for the Lord. We dare not perform our task in the flesh, or to build the image of self, nor to draw attention to our dedication, but rather for the glory of God. May we all beware lest our good actions be mired by a godless motive or attitude. When we rise in the mornings, God grant us the grace to declare to self, the brethren, and the world, even if we must stand alone, WE ARE NOT FOR SALE!!!