Be On Guard!

Scripture: Acts 20:28-31 (NIV)

Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. ²⁹ I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. ³⁰ Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. ³¹ So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.

Devotion:

            In this scripture Paul is giving final instructions to the elders of the Ephesian church. A church where he spent a good amount of time and probably grew to love as brothers and sisters in Christ. He will soon be leaving for Jerusalem where he will be arrested and eventually transported to Rome where he will be executed.

            Paul urges these leaders to keep watch over themselves first of all. As we live the Christian life, we should always pay careful attention to ourselves first. If we fail our own self-examination what right do, we have to speak and teach others? Too often the church in our day has been quick to examine others while failing the test themselves. We must all realize that we are fallen human beings subject to all the tests and temptations as the world. We must keep careful watch over ourselves then, so that we may not fail to pass the test of remaining true to the faith.

            Then Paul warns the elders that this flock they are to care for will be the subject of vicious attack. Paul does not say if, but when the flock is attacked these attackers will not spare the flock. But it will be vicious ruining the spiritual lives of the people. Trying to tear down, if possible, even the elect. But all the danger will not come from outside the flock. Even among those thought to be brothers and sisters in Christ will appear some who seek to draw attention and followers to themselves. Paul warns the leaders to be on the lookout for these dangerous individuals.

            So, that was the condition of things in the first century with the church. Have things really changed that much over the centuries since Luke wrote these words? Looking around at the situation that the church finds herself in today the answer is clearly no! We are still beset with attacks from wolves from outside the flock. Seeking to carry off precious lambs of God to destroy them. From amongst the ranks of the flock itself there are emerging leaders who attempt to deconstruct the faith of others. For the purpose of gaining followers for themselves. They claim to have been part of us but have lost faith, there is certainly a need to question whether they ever belonged to Jesus in the first place.

Prayer:

            Lord, help us keep our guard up as we walk through this dangerous world. You know that the culture and society are turning against the church. We have deceivers who have come in and perverted the gospel to their own ends. Let us keep our eyes fixed upon the cross so that we might not get separated from your flock. Help us always keep watch over our own souls to make sure that we are following after our Lord and Master, Jesus Christ, in whose name we pray. Amen.