COMMENDED
“And now I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.” Acts 20:32
Returning to Jerusalem from his third missionary journey, Paul stops in Miletus and sends for the elders of the church at Ephesus. He had loved them and labored in the Lord for them for three years (Acts 20:31). He gave this somewhat disconcerting word: “I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them” (Acts 20:29-30). Many of us have seen this happen in local churches; that when a strong, loving, compassionate, doctrinally sound preacher and teacher leaves a congregation, or is called home to be with the Lord Jesus, wolves and perverse teachers will come in to attempt to fleece the flock. Yet, the warning was only “somewhat” disconcerting because you and I serve a sovereign God. He allows this to happen to bless us and better us, for the apostle commended the elders to God and the word of His grace. They had been fed and strengthened by God through the teaching and preaching of Paul, now it was time to mature in love and sanctification. The fiercest wolves and most twisted of men cannot withstand the child of God secure in the truth of God and the word of His grace. Why? Because it’s not the smart or studious soul the gospel doth make, but instead, produces the surrendered saint. He or she is the one in whom dwells a desire to know the Lord Jesus intimately, to be with the Lord Jesus prayerfully, and to commune with the Lord Jesus continually. This is not only good advice from Paul to the Ephesians, it is glorious gospel encouragement from the Lord Jesus Christ to you and me. Hallelujah! What a Savior!
Yes, wolves will come and rats will twist
God’s gospel truth in Christ;
Stay in Christ’s Word and trust in His
Sufficient sacrifice.
