Well… here’s where the rubber begins to hit the road. Confrontation starts now. You see, in the Shepherd and Sheep section, my initial post on “Truth” was positive and promising. While direct and (I pray) encouraging, it was an inspirational call to arms for all those who are on God’s team… be they a ministry leader or missional lay-person. In short, by God’s grace, when I write to Shepherds and Sheep we all speak the same foundational language.
Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for my posts to those whose rightful place is under the “Goats” and “Wolves” banner. Notwithstanding their claims to share in our dialogue, the simple fact is that Goats and Wolves either apply different definitions to the vocabulary we use, or even worse, they blatantly deny or distort God’s truth. Even so, I want to here begin with an encouraging confrontation. Here goes… While the Gospel’s invitation is eternally unchanging and ALWAYS available to Goats and Wolves, their/your current condition requires straight-talk, truth in love (Ephesians 4:14-16), and Christ-like, candid confrontation. Know this:
Friend, if that is you, repent and believe biblically – or die eternal.
To be clear, my entries here will be intended to speak directly to those who are “Religious-Rebellions” (a.k.a. Goats as opposed to Sheep… see Matthew 25:31-46) OR, to those whose life and love leads them to minister to the stubborn, hard to reach community of “Goats” grazing in our churches & ministry pastures.
With that said, as an initial entry, let me encourage you to get prayerfully familiar with the following truths from God’s Word:
Whether you are reading this as a complacent, confused, or contrarian “Goat,” (or as one who is ministering to that flavor of flock), know that any form of religious rebellion is rooted in ignorance, pride, and/or self-righteousness. That’s the truth.
Before you take offense, know this as well, the same truth that reveals your sin reveals your potential Savior – Amen! Friend, there is no biblical restoration without biblical repentance. Again, you cannot know the benefits of biblical forgiveness without first demonstrating the fruit of biblical faith in Christ (as “both just and justifier” – Romans 3:26) in all of His truth.
As a final note of encouragement and inspirational support to my brothers and sisters who live in the trenches with what appear to be “deaf goats,” I point you to Ezekiel 33:1-20… Here there is a clarion call for ALL of us alike; to the watchman on the wall (you and me), to the hypocritical religious rebels, AND (praise God) to the repentant rebels.
Friend, I find this to be one of the most potent and important passages of promise and application in all the Bible.
Read, pray, and obey – you will be blessed in doing so!