Hostile Takeovers

Verse of the day: Numbers 16:8-10 “Then Moses said to Korah, ‘Hear now, you sons of Levi: 9 Is it a small thing to you that the God of Israel has separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to Himself, to do the work of the tabernacle of the LORD, and to stand before the congregation to serve them; 10 and that He has brought you near to Himself, you and all your brethren, the sons of Levi, with you? And are you seeking the priesthood also?’”

Here is a story that has repeatedly played out within the body of Christ. People who become disgruntled and rebel against leaders that God has called, simply because things are not happening within the church that they want to see happen. Pride has convinced many that they are more qualified and can do a better job than those that God has placed in positions of authority within the body of Christ. Sadly, these troublemakers have caused local church splits that often resulted in the local church’s light going out within that community. For those who stir up this kind of turmoil, they will give an account as God hates division (Proverbs 6:19). Today, many false teachers want to propagate their false doctrines, and lead people astray for their own personal gain. Note who followed Korah, “men of renown” or “men of reputation”. False teachers will often befriend and influence those who have the strongest following in the local church in order to give strength to their “hostile takeovers”. Jude describes them this way in Jude 1:16, “These are grumblers, complainers, walking according to their own lusts; and they mouth great swelling words, flattering people to gain advantage.” Oftentimes, the division will come because people will favor one preacher, teacher, or “wannabe” preacher or teacher, and insist that they should be the pastor or other leader within the body. How often we forget that the church does not belong to any individual; the church belongs to God. In addressing the Church at Corinth, in 1 Corinthians 1:10-13, the Apostle Paul wrote, “Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. 11 For it has been declared to me concerning you, my brethren, by those of Chloe’s household, that there are contentions among you. 12 Now I say this, that each of you says, ‘I am of Paul,’ or ‘I am of Apollos,’ or ‘I am of Cephas,’ or ‘I am of Christ.’ 13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?” In Christ there is no division, we are all one in Him. Furthermore, it is not up to us to call ourselves into God’s service. Although we are all commanded to share the Gospel message (Mark 16:15), not all of us are called to lead within the body. Those who choose to takeover positions that they were not called to will have a lot to answer to when they stand before the Lord. James 3:1 warns, “My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment.” The bottom line is that we have no business trying to usurp those whom God has placed in positions of leadership, especially if they are preaching God’s Word for what it is, and are doctrinally sound in their teaching. Just because a leader does not have the kind of personality we want them to have, or they do not speak with the eloquence we prefer, is not reason enough to remove the man of God or God’s teacher or elder(s), from the position God has placed them in. King David had the proper perspective when it came to dealing with God’s chosen leader. Although he knew he was called by God to be king, and although King Saul was persecuted, he would not put a hand on him to remove him from the throne, even though he had opportunities to do so. Instead, even when his followers wanted him to usurp the throne, he responded in this manner in 1 Samuel 14:6-7, “And he said to his men, ‘The LORD forbid that I should do this thing to my master, the LORD’s anointed, to stretch out my hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the LORD.’ 7 So David restrained his servants with these words, and did not allow them to rise against Saul. And Saul got up from the cave and went on his way.” To rebel against God’s chosen leaders is to rebel against God, and that is a position that we should always avoid at all cost. Instead, we should be like King David, who not only refused to rebel against God and His chosen one, but was also the voice of reason who convinced others to do what was right.

Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His gift of salvation (Rom 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive Him and His gift of salvation today (Rom 10:13).