Some in our church call our pastor “God’s man.” Does that mean he is God’s instrument to lead and teach us?
In the Old Testament, there were some who were referred to as a “Man of God.” Moses (Deuteronomy 33:1), Samuel (1 Samuel 9:6), Elijah (1 Kings 17:18), Elisha (2 Kings 5:8), and others. In the New Testament, only Timothy is referred to as a Man of God. “But thou, O MAN OF GOD, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.” (1 Timothy 6:11).
What or who exactly is the MAN OF GOD that we read about in many places? It is obvious from its uses that a man of God is either a prophet, a messenger of God, or a man devoted to God. Even though Timothy was called a man of God, we see the Apostle Paul instructing him as to how he should live for the Lord and minister to others. The MAN OF GOD is not beyond learning!
Therefore, we can rightly consider a MAN OF GOD as being one who:
Lives to honor and serve the Lord.
Lives to minister to others.
Lives to represent Christ in the world.
The last time we read of the MAN OF GOD is given in a general sense in 2 Timothy 3:16-17, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the MAN OF GOD may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” Can we not all realize our privilege and responsibility to live for the Lord, to minister to others, and to represent Christ in the world? I trust we all know we can be men and women of God when we devote our lives to Him.
While we thank the Lord for capable leaders and teachers, let’s make sure we do not rely upon our leaders to do our thinking and discernment for us. The Apostle Paul wrote in Acts 17:10-11, “And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” Paul commended these believers in Berea for going to the Word of God to make sure that what he taught was in agreement with the Word. May we take the same care to confirm what we hear is in harmony with what the Bible says. Let us never be afraid to ask any particular teacher to expound the Word for us and show how they came to the conclusions they reach by showing us the scriptures as their authority for their teachings. (CC) (643.4)