Leading…the Great Call

James 3:1 Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. (NIV)

            Pastor Keith Macky was the shepherd of approximately 2,000 members in the country town of Huntingsburg. The church started out with twenty members, but grew tremendously over the span of 5 years. Pastor Macky loved been a minister and had dreamed of being one since he was a child. He had come from a long ancestry of ministers, missionaries and evangelist and therefore, felt that he would continue the call as well as pray that his sons would do the same. Everyone looked up to Pastor Macky and they held him and his family up with high regard.

            Unfortunately, there was a major flaw in Pastor Macky. He had a problem with pornography. Everyday Pastor Macky would go to his office and work on the week’s sermon and Bible study, but a day wouldn’t go by that he did not make a stop with the click of a mouse to an x-rated site. Due to the privacy that he had in his office, he felt that he was secure where no one would ever find out. His conscious bothered him and he vowed to himself and God that he would one-day stop, but that day never came.

            On one Wednesday, Pastor Macky went to church to hold his normal midweek Bible study for the members. He taught the scriptures as he often did and got ready to end the night in a word of prayer. All of a sudden, there was an interruption in the congregation. Pastor Macky opened his eyes as his head had been lowered and eyes closed for prayer. There were several police officers walking down the aisle and coming towards where he stood. The congregation was in a panic because they had no idea of what was taking place.

            One of the officers began to speak and said, “Keith Macky, you are hereby under arrest for the crime of child pornography. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be held against you in the court of law. You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford and attorney, one will be provided for you.” The congregation could not believe their ears as they watched in total shock as their pastor was handcuffed and carried away by the men in blue. 

            The Apostle James lets us know that when you accept the call of God on your life, you are held up to a higher standard. To know what is right and not do it is a sin. Hebrews 10:26-27 ⁽²⁶⁾If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, ⁽²⁷⁾but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God. (NIV) God expects His children, especially those who are leaders, rather in the home, church, and/or job, to do what they know is right. It is inexcusable in God’s eyes to know His ways and laws and yet, fail to do them.

        It would be one thing if you did not know what was right, but to know and not do is displeasing in God’s eyes. 2 Peter 2;19-22 ⁽¹⁹⁾They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of depravity—for “people are slaves to whatever has mastered them.” ⁽²⁰⁾If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and are overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning. ⁽²¹⁾It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them. ⁽²²⁾Of them the proverbs are true: “A dog returns to its vomit,” and, “A sow that is washed returns to her wallowing in the mud.” (NIV) God has outlined the way that we are to carry ourselves in His word. If we have any questions as to the things of God, all we have to do is go to the scripture for clarity. 

        The Holy Spirit also serves as an internal manual to let us know if something is wrong. As in the above story, Pastor Macky knew that he was doing wrong and his conscious (the Holy Spirit) was letting him know to stop. However, if you grieve away the Spirit, there are dire consequences that will follow. There will not be any excuses that can be made on the Day of Judgment. Ephesians 4:30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. (NIV) God is calling for us to hear His voice and respond accordingly. John 10:27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. (NIV) Why not make the decision today to follow God wholeheartedly. Choose to be the leader that He has called for you to be. In the end, you will receive a great reward. 

 

The Book of James:30 Days of Devotion for Men by K L Rich is available on Amazon.com.