Take heed, therefore, to yourselves, and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the assembly of the Lord and God which he purchased with his own blood. Acts 20:28 WEB
In this portion of the Book Of Acts, Paull urges church leaders to shepherd the assembly of the Lord. He warns them to beware of “wolves” that will come to destroy and mislead well intentioned believers. Jesus gives the same warning. Matthew 7:15 records the Savior’s words as, “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravening wolves. WEB”
Paul’s concern is that sin leads to eternal separation from God. As we read in Romans 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. KJV” The apostle knew the importance of sharing the unadulterated truth of the gospel. As he reminds church leaders in Acts 20:27, “For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God. NIV”
God Is Faithful to Forgive
Unrepentant sinners are under the judgment of God. But God is faithful to forgive those who turn to him in faith. As we read in 1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us the sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. WEB” God is forgiving but also holy and just. As Galatians 6:7 teaches, “Don’t be deceived. God is not mocked, for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. WEB”
When we repent, we follow by living in obedience to God. As Christ says in Matthew 7:21, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven; but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. WEB”
At Your Hand
Conscious of the importance of doing the will of God, Paul also knows these words of God from Ezekiel 3:18, “When I tell the wicked, You shall surely die; and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at your hand. WEB” Paul’s faithful service leads him to confidently state in Acts 20:26, “Therefore, I declare to you today that I am innocent of the blood of any of you NIV”
Knowing that he is likely to die soon for preaching the gospel and concerned about the eternal fate of church parishioners, Paul pleads with church leaders to shepherd the assembly in the truth of Jesus Christ. His warning is part of an awareness of the spiritual war in which we participate. God’s faithful are opposed by spiritual forces of darkness. Church leaders are therefore encouraged to maintain sound doctrine while protecting believers from deception and destruction.
Prayer: ”Father God, thank you for those who shepherd the assembly. Thank you for the truth of your holy word. Help me to live according to your will. Guide me to share the truth of forgiveness through faith in Jesus Christ. In Jesus’ name – Amen”
Yesterday’s Devotional: Testify About the Light
