October 17, 2020
No Lone Rangers
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 (Heb. 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.
Bible in One Year: Mark 10-12
