What actions can we take to avoid rejecting God's messengers today? Setting the Scene “Again he sent other servants, more than the first. But they treated them the same way.” — Matthew 21:36 Jesus’ parable warns that God persistently sends messengers, yet hard-hearted people still turn them away. The same danger lurks today unless we take deliberate steps to welcome those God sends. Recognizing God’s Messengers Today • Faithful pastors and elders who handle the Word accurately (2 Timothy 2:15; Hebrews 13:7) • Missionaries and evangelists who proclaim Christ where He is not known (Romans 10:14-15) • Fellow believers who exhort, encourage, or correct us with Scripture (Colossians 3:16) • The written Word itself, illuminated by the Holy Spirit (John 16:13; 2 Timothy 3:16-17) Actions to Receive, Not Reject 1. Prioritize Scripture Saturation – Daily reading trains the ear to recognize truth (Psalm 1:2). – Testing every message against the Bible protects from error (Acts 17:11). 2. Cultivate Humility – “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6). – A teachable spirit welcomes correction instead of bristling at it (Proverbs 9:8-9). 3. Pray for Discernment – Ask the Spirit to confirm genuine voices and expose counterfeits (1 John 4:1). – Intercede for those who speak God’s Word so they remain bold and pure (Ephesians 6:19-20). 4. Honor Spiritual Authority – “Obey your leaders and submit to them” (Hebrews 13:17). – Refusing godly leadership often equals refusing the Lord who appointed it (1 Samuel 8:7). 5. Practice Obedient Response – Truth embraced must be acted on (James 1:22-25). – Quick, concrete obedience softens the heart; delayed obedience hardens it. 6. Guard Against Cynicism – Past abuses can tempt us to distrust all authority. Scripture calls us to discern, not dismiss (Philippians 1:9-10). – Remember God still raises faithful servants despite human failures (Romans 11:4-5). Cultivating a Responsive Heart • Regular confession keeps sin from clogging spiritual hearing (Hebrews 3:13). • Engage in biblical fellowship where accountability is normal, not exceptional (Hebrews 10:24-25). • Celebrate testimonies of transformation; they remind us God is speaking and working today (Revelation 12:11). Living Out the Lesson – Set aside a consistent time this week to pray specifically for your pastor and any missionaries you know. – Choose one recent sermon or exhortation and intentionally apply a clear action step. – Write down any resistance you feel when corrected, then counter it with relevant Scripture truth. Taking these steps positions us to welcome, rather than reject, the servants our Lord still graciously sends. |
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