Are We Sending Newborns To Be Slaughtered by Doing This?
Picture this:
A shepherd is in the field and witnesses a newborn sheep being born. He starts dancing around the shivering little animal, singing and praising God.
He throws out a few crumbs he has on hand for just such an occasion. Then, he tells the little newborn, "Simply call out if you need me," as he disappears into the wilderness.
Time For Rejoicing
The shepherd is so happy about the newborn sheep that he tells everyone in the village. All his friends throw a big party. They eat, dance, and sing, all while rejoicing and praising God.
Meanwhile, the wolves are circling around the little sheep, who cries out in the loudest voice he can muster.
Busy Saving the World
The shepherd calls back to him, "Sorry little sheep. I'm busy getting ready for my trip to Uganda. I have the important task of teaching shepherds there how to do what I do here. Maybe if you get ahold of Bill, the shepherd, he can help. Meanwhile, we'll pray for you."
The little sheep cries out to Bill, but no answer.
The wolves promptly devour the little sheep.
The shepherd returns from his important trip to Uganda, but the newborn sheep is nowhere in sight. He wonders where he's gone. He must not be a very dedicated sheep if he's just going to wander off like that.
The Slaughter of Newborn Believers
Unfortunately, the above scenario is playing out every day for newborn believers. Those who give their lives to Christ are left alone to fend for themselves.
In most cases, they don't have to face death. But many do turn from their faith, eventually. After all, who wants to be abandoned while being pummeled by Satan and his armies?
Is there a better way?
Shepherds behind the pulpit must be careful while leading people through the sinner's prayer. Those who are raising their hands are doing so for a reason. They desire a life-altering experience. They're making a decision for Christ, so leaving them in the lurch is not an option.
If pastors and preachers are too busy to follow up with newborn sheep, they should not lead people to make a decision for Christ behind the pulpit. Instead, there should be a way for someone to receive one-on-one discipleship.
But it doesn't stop there. The person who witnesses someone being born again is responsible for that newborn. This new believer needs spiritual food and protection from wolves in sheep's clothing. For that reason, ongoing discipleship is required.
Maybe, Maybe Not
This strategy, of course, requires time and energy. With our massive congregations in North America, asking church leadership to step up is a pipe dream.
Therefore, the individual churchgoer must take responsibility for the newborn believer. The church can no longer afford to view the falling away of parishioners as a millennial phenomenon.
It's simply because newborn sheep are being allowed to get slaughtered.
"You have not strengthened the weak, healed the sick, bandaged the injured, brought back the strays, or sought the lost, but with force and harshness you have ruled over them. They were scattered because they had no shepherd, and they became food for every wild beast. My sheep wandered over all the mountains and on every high hill. My sheep were scattered over the entire face of the earth with no one looking or searching for them." Ezekiel 34:4-6.
Picture this:
A shepherd is in the field and witnesses a newborn sheep being born. He starts dancing around the shivering little animal, singing and praising God.
He throws out a few crumbs he has on hand for just such an occasion. Then, he tells the little newborn, "Simply call out if you need me," as he disappears into the wilderness.
Time For Rejoicing
The shepherd is so happy about the newborn sheep that he tells everyone in the village. All his friends throw a big party. They eat, dance, and sing, all while rejoicing and praising God.
Meanwhile, the wolves are circling around the little sheep, who cries out in the loudest voice he can muster.
Busy Saving the World
The shepherd calls back to him, "Sorry little sheep. I'm busy getting ready for my trip to Uganda. I have the important task of teaching shepherds there how to do what I do here. Maybe if you get ahold of Bill, the shepherd, he can help. Meanwhile, we'll pray for you."
The little sheep cries out to Bill, but no answer.
The wolves promptly devour the little sheep.
The shepherd returns from his important trip to Uganda, but the newborn sheep is nowhere in sight. He wonders where he's gone. He must not be a very dedicated sheep if he's just going to wander off like that.
The Slaughter of Newborn Believers
Unfortunately, the above scenario is playing out every day for newborn believers. Those who give their lives to Christ are left alone to fend for themselves.
In most cases, they don't have to face death. But many do turn from their faith, eventually. After all, who wants to be abandoned while being pummeled by Satan and his armies?
Is there a better way?
Shepherds behind the pulpit must be careful while leading people through the sinner's prayer. Those who are raising their hands are doing so for a reason. They desire a life-altering experience. They're making a decision for Christ, so leaving them in the lurch is not an option.
If pastors and preachers are too busy to follow up with newborn sheep, they should not lead people to make a decision for Christ behind the pulpit. Instead, there should be a way for someone to receive one-on-one discipleship.
But it doesn't stop there. The person who witnesses someone being born again is responsible for that newborn. This new believer needs spiritual food and protection from wolves in sheep's clothing. For that reason, ongoing discipleship is required.
Maybe, Maybe Not
This strategy, of course, requires time and energy. With our massive congregations in North America, asking church leadership to step up is a pipe dream.
Therefore, the individual churchgoer must take responsibility for the newborn believer. The church can no longer afford to view the falling away of parishioners as a millennial phenomenon.
It's simply because newborn sheep are being allowed to get slaughtered.
"You have not strengthened the weak, healed the sick, bandaged the injured, brought back the strays, or sought the lost, but with force and harshness you have ruled over them. They were scattered because they had no shepherd, and they became food for every wild beast. My sheep wandered over all the mountains and on every high hill. My sheep were scattered over the entire face of the earth with no one looking or searching for them." Ezekiel 34:4-6.
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