Henderson religion column: That’s none of your business!

Published 11:31 pm Friday, February 5, 2016

“… man did eat angels’ food” (Psalms 78:25)

I preached today’s devotional in a worship service at Temple of the Lord, where I pastor:

John 21:20-22 reveals Jesus rebuking one of the three foundational leaders (Apostle Peter) within his worldwide religion, when he asked Jesus concerning the Apostle John, “Lord, and what shall this man do?” Jesus sharply rebuked Peter, saying, “Follow thou me” (verse 22).

Jesus meant to Peter, it’s none of your business what I require John, or anyone else, to do or not do for me. You do the ministry I require you to do, and keep your eyes off others’ responsibility I require of them!

Second Corinthians 10:12 warns that it’s not wise for anyone to compare himself with others in their relationship, talents and ministries with God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Jesus is purposely private with his relationship with each individual follower, that he instructs us to not even let our left hand know what Jesus wants us to do with our right hand (Matthew 6:3).

In Jesus’ perception, a congregation of only two or three people is equally as important as congregations with the multi-hundreds and thousands of members. Jesus preached one sermon that so offended multi-thousands of his followers that only his original apostles remained, and he had to begin his worldwide ministry all over again (John 6:66). Such should encourage pastors who have experienced painful church splits.

Jesus warned in Matthew 7:6 that we must even be wise to know who, plus who not, to tell the blessings God gives us. Other people who are religiously carnal and devilish will be like hogs in their slop, destroying our joy by their jealousies.

Be careful when you are tempted to tattle to Jesus regarding how you believe certain family members (natural and God’s family) are treating you unfairly! Jesus just might sharply rebuke you, angrily saying, “Who made me a judge or a divider over you?” (Luke 10:38-42) Such divine rebuke by Jesus was to Martha when she tattled to Jesus that her sister Mary was sitting at Jesus’ feet hearing his teachings, rather than helping prepare their meal for Jesus.

The Apostle Paul also rebukes followers of Jesus comparing ourselves with other followers of Jesus (2 Corinthians 10:12), Such can birth hopelessness in us when we aren’t accomplishing as much as others; or fill us with devilish pride that God hates (Proverbs 6:17) when our ministries accomplish more than others. Religious pride selfishly focuses only on ourselves being praised by society. The apostle also wrote in Romans 14:22 that we are to relate to God only according to the amount of faith we have; not publicly proclaim the same for social admiration.

God can’t use anyone paralyzed mentally, emotionally, religiously and ministerially with an inferiority or condemned complex. When the prophet Elijah bemoaned to God with religious self-pity that he was the only person serving God faithfully, God sharply rebuked the prophet that there were 7,000 others who were waiting for the prophet to tell them how to establish an authentic biblical relationship with God! (Romans 11:1-5)

The Rev. G. David Henderson is the pastor of Temple of the Lord at 611 S. Green St. in Dalton. You can reach him at angelsfood@optilink.us. His column appears on the first Saturday of the month.