The Work of Shepherds (7)

But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. John 1.12, 13

Christianity and Liberalism
J. Gresham Machen (1881-1937)
“The modern liberal preacher reverences Jesus; he has the name of Jesus forever on his lips; he speaks of Jesus as the supreme revelation of God; he enters, or tries to enter, into the religious life of Jesus. But he does not stand in a religious relationship to Jesus. Jesus for him is an example of faith, not the object of faith.”

It will do no good for people merely to admire Jesus as a good man, a shining example of pious and honorable living. Or to project into the contemporary social arena how we think a loving Jesus might feel and act with respect to this or that social or moral situation. Following Jesus begins in worshiping Him. It proceeds from there via obedience to His Word. Unless we fall down before Him and worship Him, we have no part in Him or His Kingdom. Unless we receive His Word and abide in it, we have no part in Him. No one ever had a higher regard for Jesus than the devil, but in refusing to worship Him, he condemned himself forever. Jesus is not merely our example; He is our Savior, King, and Shepherd. The shepherds of God’s flock must make sure that His sheep hear His voice, and follow Him.

How does your service of worship point people to Jesus as the object of their faith, and not just an example of it?

T. M. Moore

The Gospel of the Kingdom
What is the Gospel of the Kingdom? How can we know when we’re preaching what Jesus and the apostles preached? Our booklet, The Gospel of the Kingdom, outlines the Biblical scope of the preaching Jesus expects from His shepherds. You can order your copy from our bookstore by clicking here, or, if you prefer, we’ll send you a free copy in PDF, which you can upload to your e-reader. Just write to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., and John Nunnikhoven will send you a copy.

The Fellowship of Ailbe is supported through the generous and faithful gifts of those who benefit from and believe in our work. Does the Lord want to use you in this way? Please look to Him in prayer over this question. You can contribute to The Fellowship of Ailbe by using the Contribute button at our website, or by sending your gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, 19 Tyler Drive, Essex Junction, VT 05452. Thank you.

Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.All quotations from J. Gresham Machen, Christianity and Liberalism(Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans, 1923, 1974).