How can we guard against rejecting God's messengers in our daily walk? Setting the Scene—Luke 20:14 “ ‘But when the tenants saw the son, they discussed it among themselves and said, “This is the heir. Let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.” ’ ” In the parable, the tenants symbolize people who repeatedly spurned God’s prophets and ultimately rejected His Son. The warning is clear: hearts that grow resistant to God’s representatives end up opposing God Himself. Why God Sends Messengers • To recall us to covenant faithfulness (2 Chron 36:15–16) • To build up, encourage, and comfort (1 Corinthians 14:3) • To equip the saints for works of service (Ephesians 4:11–12) • To protect us from deception (Acts 20:28–30) Common Ways We Still Reject Them • Pride—“I already know enough” (Proverbs 26:12) • Offense at style or personality (Matthew 11:16–19) • Preference for comforting words over convicting truth (2 Timothy 4:3) • Suspicion without discernment—rejecting before testing (1 Thessalonians 5:20–21) Guardrails for Receiving God’s Messengers • Test everything by Scripture—never above, never beneath it (Acts 17:11) • Remember the chain of representation: “Whoever receives the one I send receives Me” (John 13:20) • Submit to legitimate spiritual oversight: “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls” (Hebrews 13:17) • Weigh fruit, not charisma: “You will recognize them by their fruit” (Matthew 7:16) • Stay alert to the Spirit’s witness within (Romans 8:16; 1 John 2:20) Practices That Keep the Heart Soft 1. Daily time in the Word—so truth feels familiar, not foreign 2. Regular self-examination (Psalm 139:23–24) 3. Confession and quick repentance when conviction comes (1 John 1:9) 4. Fellowship with believers who speak truth in love (Hebrews 10:24–25) 5. Gratitude for those who labor in teaching (1 Thessalonians 5:12–13) When Correction Arrives—A Healthy Response • Listen before defending (Proverbs 18:13) • Ask the Spirit to spotlight any hidden resistance • Seek clarification rather than assuming motives • Align practice with truth immediately—delayed obedience hardens the heart • Encourage the messenger; honor reinforces receptivity (Galatians 6:6) The Blessing of Welcoming God’s Messengers • Increased insight and maturity (Ephesians 4:13–14) • Protection from error (Philippians 3:1) • Shared joy in gospel progress (Philippians 4:17) • Participation in the inheritance the tenants forfeited—fellowship with the Son Himself (Romans 8:17) Receiving God’s messengers today keeps us in the safety of His vineyard and under the care of the rightful Heir. |
    |