Wolves versus the Good Shepherd

Animals are used to depict certain aspects of human behaviour or characteristics. Such metaphors are easily understood. Psalm 22 is a brilliant illustration of this. It is a prophetic insight written a thousand years before the crucifixion of Christ. The psalmist used such animals as, bulls, lion, dogs and wild oxen. You can see their human counterparts around the cross in the Gospels.

Jesus used animal terms on a number of occasions. Two of them I want to emphasise , they are Wolves and Sheep. We understand that because Jesus is the Good Shepherd the sheep are His people. Matthew 7:15 ‘Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.’ Jesus, in His great message about the events preceding His return, highlighted the fact of false prophets proliferating. Matthew 24:24.

It seems to me that we are living in their ‘breeding and marauding season.’ The Church is being mauled by the Devil’s brood. Sadly, the non-churched community think these ‘wolves in sheep’s clothing’ are part of the ‘sheep’ community. This results in people cursing the Church and rejecting Christ because of the evil actions of the false prophets. There are seven species of wolves and they roam in specific areas. There’s the gray wolf and the artic, the red wolf and Himalayan, an India one plus an Ethiopian and Eastern breed. Within our Church and Society scene it is a good reminder to be on ‘red alert’ for their human counterparts.

Within the pages of the Bible the term wolves is applied to men in official positions (Ezekiel 22:27) intent on dishonest gain. Zephaniah 3:3 applies it to Judges who use their position for personal gain and revenge. It is an amazing fact that so many of the wolves in religious sheep covering strut the world’s stage. Television and the internet make them sound so plausible and personable as they promise much whilst stripping your soul and bank balance.

In an article on wolves was the following quote: ‘The majority of victims of predatory wolf attacks are children under age of 18 and, in the rare cases where adults are killed, the victims are almost always women.’ As I read the New Testament I find something very similar. The writers of the New Testament letters give strong warnings about this danger. Paul warned the Ephesian Elders that such predatory wolves were prowling even as he was talking. His warning was their call to be on guard and not be a mere hireling who runs away from protecting the flock. (John 10:12). I’m left with the impression that the majority of these mangy mongrels are males (I wouldn’t call them men).

How is this being played out today? Child abuse in Church run institutions and parish churches are under the spotlight. The predators in cleric garb have ripped out the faith and innocence of children many of whom are wrecks of what they were meant to be. Those who knew and did nothing are mere hirelings, not shepherds.  Christ Jesus speaks of a greater judgement which will fall upon such wolves (and I think it will fall on those who neglected their shepherd’s calling). I believe Christ holds such victims in a special section of His heart and affections. May they discover it, though they have to struggle through a lot of emotional and spiritual rubble!

What then is our best defence in dealing with these spiritual and moral predators? How are we able to develop an inner alarm system which gives out warning vibrations? Paul’s words to the Elders in Acts 20:32 is a good commencement place. ‘I commend you to God and to the message of His grace, a message that is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all who are sanctified.’ His words to Timothy also undergird the importance of knowing Biblical teaching. ‘Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching, continue in these things, for in doing this you will save both yourself and your hearers.’ (1 Timothy 24:16)

The strange thing about Christ Jesus as the Shepherd is His command to His sheep. ‘I am sending you out like sheep into the midst of wolves; so be as wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Beware of them…’ Matthew 10:16-42. We are not to be cowered by the wolves but to take the message of transforming grace to the society in which they prowl. Jesus says it is nerve-wracking and dangerous but that the wolves are actually afraid of sheep with a message of the cross. He also promised personal recognition and reward for His people rising up to the challenge.

Boundary Breakers of the Law

The book of Proverbs has great sayings about life and relationships. The one in chapter 29:16 is so apt for our world today. A look down history’s ‘corridor’ verifies its truth. ‘When the wicked are in authority, transgression increases …’

What do we mean by ‘transgression?’ It means crossing the boundary into unlawful territory. When the sign says ‘keep out’ and you don’t. Why would such conditions prevail under the rule of the wicked? Usually such reigns are cruel and oppressive. The standard set is what the unprincipled, the oppressed and the unrighteous will follow. If all that they can expect is defined by this life then the saying ‘let us eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow we die’ rings true.’ Perhaps we could rearrange the saying a little. ‘Let us cheat, lie and be violent for tomorrow we die.’

When religion overtly or covertly endorses such attitudes what was meant to erect boundaries actually destroys them. The treatment of women of all ages, as ‘things’, is in the news as they are used and abused by violent men! From Papua New Guinea to Pakistan, from the Western to Eastern cultures men crash the barriers of respect and restraint. The tragedy of child abuse and slavery has destroyed so many lives. So true is Proverbs 29:2b ‘When the wicked rule, the people groan.’ In Australia a Royal Commission is being set up to investigate corruption in the Union movement. There are numerous areas around the world which also needs such a Commission.

When the wicked smash the boundaries ‘Hell’s horror’ stalks the land. However who defined the boundaries? 1 John 3:4 ‘Sin is lawlessness.’ The word for sin means a falling short of a standard. Which standard? Mohammed’s! He was a mere man who fell short of the standard. Buddha? Offered fine words for selfish living but also missed the standard. The standard must be set by the Lord God of Hosts, the Creator. He has recorded these in the Bible. No other book can measure up to its standard. No other book can endure the scrutiny it has endured. No other book spells out the benefits for staying within the boundaries. No other book reveals dire consequences for breaking through the moral and spiritual boundaries God has set. No other book reveals the way to restore the broken boundaries and lives. No other book points the person to the One, Jesus Christ, who can give you a clean heart and a new beginning. He also gives the power and wisdom to live within the boundaries.

If you took the time to look at society you will notice some interesting facts. It is the Law of the Lord Jesus which is attacked by the nice and not so nice lawless ones. As one ‘T’ shirt worn by a young women put it ‘No god, No shame.’ Such an attitude leads to ‘No shame, no blame’ and ultimately they hope ‘no consequences and no condemnation.’ In every case the ‘T’ shirts will be wrong. However in the meantime that personal view will spill over and dominate politics, morality and the treatment of the unborn, the aged, infirm and the needy around the world. It is such lawless people, views and behaviour the Lord Jesus declared His people must resist. Indeed Jesus calls upon us to be boundary riders preserving righteousness, truth and caring for the poor and despised. It is by such men and women of faith Proverbs 29:2 speaks about ‘When the righteous are authority the people rejoice.’

Jesus made a promise. To walk with Him will prevent you from walking in the darkness of the lawless. To walk with Jesus is to walk in His light of righteousness, truth and grace. It will be a blessing to some. Others will be offended, guilt-ridden and curse you. However as you live within the boundaries He has set, you will know a hope, peace, health and meaning no lawless participant will ever experience. By the power of our risen Lord Jesus, He will keep us safe. By His grace we will measure up to His standard.

The Dark Side of God

The Dark Side of God.

That which is Abominable in His Eyes

Love – the word we like to hear about God’s character, His essential being. It is true and it makes people feel warm and comfortable. This is even when they are living contrary to His standards. To imagine that the God of Love has a ‘Dark side’ is either, ignored, rejected or threatening.

Over the next couple of blogs I’d like to have a look at what the Bible reveals concerning the Eternal Lord’s ‘dark side’.

Certain practices humans perform are described as being abominable to God.  That is, they are detestable in His sight and worthy of His righteous condemnation. I’d like to list them. Most I’m sure you will say ‘Amen’ to. But will you agree with them all?

Proverbs 6:16-19: Six things the Lord hates, seven are an abomination to him: Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that hurry to run to evil, a lying witness who testifies falsely and one who sows discord in a family.

Proverbs 11:1 A false balance, 12:22 lying lips, 17:15: one who justifies the wicked are all an abomination to the God of the Bible.

We know that all idolatry is detestable to God for it has devastating effects on the health and spiritual life of a person and community. Check out Deuteronomy 18:9-14 and 12:29 onwards. Idolatry is so closely linked to sexual perversion which destroys the very meaning and symbolism of marriage. The Lord has made plain His framework for Marriage in Genesis 2 and Ephesians 5:22-33.

Deviant sexual practises and perverse behaviour are listed in Leviticus 18. With an uncompromising bluntness we read of God’s severity upon such behaviour. Why? Because it destroys the very soul of the people involved. It corrupts what God intended to be holy and unique between a man and a woman. It demeans souls and shatters relationships of trust and protection. It also pollutes the very landscape and community it infests. Leviticus talks about incest, sexual activity with animals and same sex marriages. Leviticus 18:30 sums it up ‘So keep my (Yahweh’s) charge not to commit any of these abominations…and not to defile yourselves by them: I am the Lord your God. (emphasis added).

The Lord’s judgement upon such practices is holy and just. ‘Whoever commits any of these abominations shall be cut off from their people.’ (Leviticus 18:29) It even goes beyond this. In Revelation 21-22 it is evident that such behaviour excludes any entrance into Heaven.

Is there any escape?

Only by the grace of God and the fact that such behaviour in mind and body requiring punishment has been dealt with at the Cross of Christ. He offers cleansing, forgiveness, a new beginning and power to overcome the past.  1 Corinthians 6:9-10: ‘Do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived! Fornicators, idolaters, adulterers, male prostitutes, sodomites, thieves, the greedy, drunkards, revilers, robbers – none of these will inherit the kingdom of God. And this is what some of you used to be. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.’(Emphasis added) 

 Christ Jesus is God's 'lighthouse' to lead us out of the darkness

God has given us an escape from His ‘Dark side’ and into His light and love. This is open by a personal commitment of your life by faith in Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord. His grace then transforms you from being condemned into being accepted.

Ray (now on God’s bright side) Hawkins