IS IT LEADING, OR FEEDING?
By H. A. St. John
SOME people, even in the church of Christ, are far more anxious to lead than to feed. Jesus said to Peter, and His injunctions were intended, undoubtedly, for all the disciples, "Feed My sheep;" "feed My lambs." The followers of Christ are enjoined to "preach the Word," "teach all nations," rightly divide the Word of truth, and give to saint and sinner their portion in due season, to feed the flock. Jesus says, "I am the good Shepherd;" I will lead My sheep into green pastures, and beside still waters. What this man, or that person, shall do, is not your business, "what is that to thee?" "You follow Me, you feed My sheep and lambs; "give ye them to eat." Jesus will do the leading, we may be co-workers with Him in feeding. Jesus alone led His people Israel to the promised land. Deut. 32:12. Jesus alone is leading the true Israel of God. He will lead them all the way through this dark, dangerous wilderness world, to the promised land. He leads by His light and His truth. Ps. 43:3. And in the world to come the Lamb of God which is in the midst of the throne will continue to eternally feed His redeemed flock, and to "lead them unto living fountains of waters; and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes." Rev. 7:17. It is not a good sign to see a person in the church of Christ more ambitious to lead than to feed. If permitted to lead, very soon such persons will be speaking perverse things, and leading away disciples after themselves. The falling away—the great apostasy—the development of the "man of sin," came about in just that way. Those early apostates, neglecting to feed the flock with the pure words of life, the Word of God, allowed themselves to be led captive by Satan at his will, and then they, in turn, ceasing to love and feed upon the truth, came to love and feed upon unrighteousness, and, as captives themselves, led multitudes of other souls into captivity. May our constant prayer be, "Lead me, O Lord, in Thy righteousness." Ps. 5:8. "Lead me in Thy truth." Ps. 25:5. "Lead me in a plain path." Ps. 27:11. "Lead me in the way everlasting." Ps. 139:24. "Lead me into the land of uprightness." Ps. 143:10. And if we are thus led, then we may tell others how the Lord is leading us, and how He will lead them also, if they will but listen to His Word. Thus we may be feeders instead of leaders, teaching others how they may find and follow our Leader, who will establish their goings, and order all their ways aright. Let us feed and follow, allowing Jesus to lead all the way. "He leadeth me! O blessed thought!
O words with heavenly comfort fraught!
Whate'er I do, where'er I be,
Still 'tis God's hand that leadeth me."