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I pledge my allegiance to a pastor, bishop, preacher, minister, father so and so. No! Jesus Christ alone is our savior and King. Check out what Paul had to say to the people of Corinth who were infighting, picking favorite apostles, and missing the message of Jesus Christ.
10 I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought. 11 My brothers and sisters, some from Chloe’s household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. 12 What I mean is this: One of you says, “I follow Paul”; another, “I follow Apollos”; another, “I follow Cephas”; still another, “I follow Christ.”
13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized in the name of Paul? 14 I thank God that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15 so no one can say that you were baptized in my name. 16 (Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I don’t remember if I baptized anyone else.)
1 Cor 1:10-16 NIV
Your preacher may be good, but if they walk on water, remember the source, for man is NOTHING without Christ.
6 Now, brothers and sisters, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us the meaning of the saying, “Do not go beyond what is written.” Then you will not be puffed up in being a follower of one of us over against the other.
1 Cor 4:6 NIV
Fill a mega church or a living room, the pedestal belongs to Jesus! I love my pastor and my church, from the moment I sat down on my first day I knew it was exactly where I needed to be. But I am not a follower of a pastor so and so. I am a follower of Jesus.
We must not get so tied up in our identity as a church that we forget our real home with Jesus. Do not get wrapped around the finger of an eloquent wordsmith and float away from the Word of God! Scripture must always be the source. I don’t care who said it or how good it sounds if you cannot verify it with scripture, it is not accurate. I am always taken aback a little by the phrase “Bible-believing Church” no offense intended but if every Christian church isn’t a Bible-believing fellowship what are you all doing? We should be like the pesky fact-checker on Facebook, confirming all we hear with the Word of God.
Never allow your loyalty to a messenger to make you go beyond what is written in the Bible and miss the message.
Thank you, God, for the passionate servants devoted to Your Word and embedded in righteousness that guide Your flock. May they grow deep roots into scripture and always say what is biblically right and true even when the world desires half-truths and flattery. The Holy Spirit as my guide, I ask for discernment, let me walk with faith, confidently knowing what is right and true. Yes, Jesus, I serve you all my days, there is none but you. I need you. -Amen