Following Out Front
A Gospel preacher of years gone by used to delight in telling about his family dog back on the old home place. Every time the team of horses was hitched to the wagon, old Spot would run ahead of the team with his head in the air, wagging his tail and barking. Spot would look back often to check the direction in which the horses were going. He would give the appearance of leading the way in a grand fashion until they would reach a crossroad. Now it would be time for Spot to run in circles and bark until the wagon was headed in the proper direction. As soon as the team turned on to a particular road, then old Sport would be back out in front again pretending to lead the way. This brother said, "Old Spot followed out front."
Unfortunately, we have far too many so-called elders and preachers today who should be out in front actually leading but they are like old Spot. They will wet their finger and stick it into the air to see which way the wind is blowing before they will take a stand. They want to appease the majority. They look around to see what some of the big churches are doing. Their position is determined by popularity and ease and peace at any price. They should be leading the battles against sin. They should be stopping the mouths of false teacher (Titus 1:9-11). Sadly many have the cart out in front of the horse. They attempt to stop the mouths of the men of God who do have enough love for truth and men's souls to speak out against error and its proponents. These weak brethren are characterized by smooth words and fair speeches and by philosophy of "Don't rock the boat or make any waves." They fain to be leaders out front for the cause of Christ but they, in reality, are like old Spot; they are just following out front.
A good question for these elders and preachers would be, "What direction are they going to go at a time when many congregations are departing from the "old paths?" (Jeremiah 6:16). Some are determined to travel down the path to apostasy. When will some elders, preachers and members wake up? The broad way leads to destruction, not life (Matthew 7:13, 14). Isn't it about time for many to stop barking pleasing platitudes and running around in circles and to repent and take a decisive and distinctive stand for truth? (1 Peter 4:11; Proverbs 23:23; 2 Timothy 4:2-4; 2 John 9-11; Ephesians 5:11).
We need men who are faithful Christians who exemplify Christ and who love the church. We need leaders who are conscientious, caring, concerned, calm, conservative, and constructive. We need men who are courageous, ready and willing to contend for the faith (Jude 3). It will take this to clean up the mess we are in.
We need leadership that is circumspect, (careful to consider all the circumstances and consequences). We need men whose vision is clear with can-do attitude, whose zeal is contagious. We need men whose character shines as a bright candle in the church and community where they live (Matthew 5:14-16; Philippians 2:15, 16). We need men who love the lost, who are willing to carry out the great commission by going out to convert the alien sinner and restore the erring ones (Mark 16:15, 16; Galatians 6:1; James 5:19, 20).
We need men who are conversant with what is going on today. They are willing to take a stand and challenge error wherever it may be found and charge men to teach no other doctrine. They will not concede the cause of Christ and allow error to creep in; no - not for an hour (Galatians 2:5). They love the clarion call of the old Jerusalem gospel therefore, they are cautious (careful in trying to avoid danger, mistakes, error, prudent) as to who they allow in their classrooms and in their pulpits (1 John 4:1; 1 Thessalonians 5:21; Matthew 7:15-21; Ephesians 5:11). They do not intend to compromise (Philippians 1:23). They consult God's word in problem solving. They respect it's message of certainty.
We need men who are not calloused in heart. Their heart is not made of concrete. They are tender-hearted, compassionate - willing to listen to the needs and problems of others and console them. these are men who are willing to admit when they are wrong and make confession when necessary.
When we have leaders like these described above, we can truly say we have the cream of the crop. They will lead us to Christ by the way of the cross to the crown (2 Timothy 4:4-8). On the other hand we don't need men who seek to circumvent God's divine pattern. We do not need men as leaders who are cowardly. We do not need men in the pulpit or the eldership who have conformed to the ways of the world or who have learned to be at home in the company of false teachers; those in collusion with liberalism.
We don't need to follow men who are going around in circles and who cite what other men have said or done instead of giving book, chapter and verse from the certified Gospel. They give forth an uncertain sound and continuously call for change. These are clowns that will lead us to a curse (Galatians 1:6-9).
We truly need men, men of God, who will take the lead out front and lead us to Heaven (Hebrews 13:7, 17). We do not need those who are like old Spot - following out front.
From Our Archives, 1992
By: Nat Evans