I have yet to be disappointed by a Christian hero. Allow me to share four reasons why.
1) There are many ministers whom I don’t follow, no matter how big their church, how famous their names, or how many books of theirs people buy.
Ravi Zechariah - I read his book “The Lotus and the Cross” in its entirety and knew instantly he didn’t know what he was talking about. If I had been on the editorial board I wouldn’t have published his book. But Christians love the intellect more than the Spirit. (I can talk about him now that he’s gone to Heaven. I would never criticize anyone alive because they can repent and be right with God any time.)
I have tried to read the popular books of other people who are living, and I put them down. Later they were found to be homosexual or perverts. I can detect people’s spirit in my presence and sometimes in their writing.
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2) No one would want to be my mentor if they weren’t pure before God.
The impure ministers are repelled by my ministry. I’ve noticed this over the decades. Their avoidance tells me to avoid them.
3) I don’t follow ministers who parade their wives.
That is almost always compensation for a troubled marriage. Stable ministers don’t need to publicly draw attention to “my lovely wife.”
Did Peter, James or John introduce to us their lovely wives?
4) I follow those who strictly teach the Bible. That means that even if their private lives fall part, I don’t fall apart. I wasn’t following them any way. I followed the Word God gave them.
2 Thessalonians 2:9-10 (ESV) 9 The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, 10 and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.
Listen to me: Even if my teacher were to deny the very Word they once taught, it wouldn’t bother me one bit. You read that right. They can have a “change of heart” and it wouldn’t change my heart. Once I see something is true from in the Word, then it’s mine. They can walk away from the truth if they wish. Not me.
My love is for the Truth and the One who gave me that Truth. For this reason, I’ll still be here when they’re all gone.
I have been disappointed when men or women of our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ have fallen. It is because they forgot who they were in Christ, nothing else. Their value of the Kingdom of Heaven was forgotten. Scripture says, "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my 'Words' shall never pass away" Matthew 24:35. That's why following the leading of the Holy Spirit is so imperative to our walk with God. As we get closer to the return of our Lord, we will see an intensity of living by the Holy Spirit is required in order to live our faith. Also the prophetic will be challenging as it was in the days from Jeremiah when no-one listened and were carried away in judgement. Let's follow Christ to the best of our ability empowered (surrendered too) the Holy Spirit. Amen?
Amen. Praise God. I gave experienced the same about a book or ministry. I try to read a book orwant to support a ministry and I will receive a check in my ministry and realize why I didn't. Praise God for His wonderful presence in my life.