DAILY DEVOTIONAL FROM PASTOR WESLEY February 28, 2022

No Lone Rangers

And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love. Ephesians 4:11-16

Perhaps you can recall the fictitious cowboy known as the Lone Ranger. He was a self-appointed guardian of the law who brought many outlaws to justice. Although he was actively fighting against evil, his independence is not a good example for Christians.

When we trusted in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of our sins, we became members of His body, the church. We weren’t saved to be independent agents; rather, God’s intention is that we be subject to Christ, bound together with fellow believers, and submitted to the elders who keep watch over our souls (Hebrews 13:17).

The trouble is that many of us want Jesus and the benefits of salvation without having to answer to anyone. Yet God has placed certain individuals in leadership positions at the local church for our benefit. The proud, who go it alone, will become targets for our adversary—like a roaring lion, Satan sees lone rangers as easy prey (1 Peter 5:8).

Don’t forsake the protection of the church. If you do, you’ll become vulnerable to false teaching, the trickery and craftiness of men, and the deceitful schemes of the devil. Participating in the body of Christ helps us develop humility and a healthy interdependence.

Listen to Dr. Michael W. Wesley Sr. on OnePlace.com
Watch Dr. Michael W. Wesley Sr. on LightSource.com