Worthless Rogues
Shoddy men gathered to several kings in the scriptures. What the kings did in developing these warriors determined whether they would end up being men of character, or worthless rogues.
“Then worthless rogues gathered to him, and strengthened themselves against Rehoboam the son of Solomon, when Rehoboam was young and inexperienced and could not withstand them.” (2 Chronicles 13:7, NKJV)
\There are two men in scripture that gathered people who were the “dredges” of society: King David and King Jeroboam, the son of Nebat. The difference between the two is what the king did with these men. King David turned “rogues and rebels” into “Mighty Men,” not only in battle, but in their character. They were loyal to David and to the cause of Israel, of course, but even more so, they loved the Lord and served him with all their hearts.
King Jeroboam, the son of Nebat, by contrast, built upon the “rogue and rebel” spirit and made them “twice the sons of hell” as they were before.
(see: Matthew 23:15)
Jeroboam not only led himself astray, but the entire kingdom of Israel with the exception of Judah and Benjamin. It is amazing what we can do as leaders. Our influence is much stronger than we could ever imagine.
There is one more king who had nothing but wicked, evil people gather around him. On the outside looking in, you might believe that this one was much worse than both Jeroboam and David. His influence was vast. Some saw him as a rebel and a rogue. Others saw him as much more. He was King Jesus who lived, died, and now lives forevermore! The way he carried himself, the way he taught the people, the way he spoke truth to power all made even the grossest sinners attract themselves to his presence. They wanted to see him, be around him and even, if possible, hear him speak and speak to him!
Of course, it was possible. More than possible. He allowed prostitutes and tax collectors (two of the most hated of wicked people) into his presence. He was criticized for doing so. Religious leaders abhorred him. He threatened their power. They persecuted and then prosecuted and convicted him to a death sentence. But the common people heard him gladly.
What was it about Jesus that made being in his presence and hearing his words make the hardest sinner soften and change?
Jesus didn’t tolerate sin. In fact, Jesus NEVER clears the guilty even though he has mercy and forgiveness for the righteous. (See Numbers 14:18-20 and Exodus 34:7) How is it possible that in order to be forgiven, according to the New Testament, you must confess that you are a guilty sinner (1 John 1:9), but the Bible tells us that God doesn’t clear the guilty? Seems like a Catch-22. Of course, it isn’t. God does not forgive the one who remains in his guilt. If a person confesses that they are a sinner and they receive (confess) Christ as their Lord and Savior, then they have now become as righteous as the Son of God. Through our faith in him, he exercises mercy (not getting what we deserve), and then his grace (getting all the blessings we couldn’t get as sinners) abounds toward us giving us perfect peace.
Jesus didn’t clear the guilty. He didn’t affirm sinners in their sin. His very presence, his manner, his grace, and his teaching, all made people comfortable and uncomfortable at the same time. He made them understand that they were guilty but also that they could find mercy with him. They could know that he was not only able, but willing to provide forgiveness. All at once, the most vile sinner, who was so racked with guilt and shame, understood that what they were looking for in sin -- a home, a place of peace -- were found only in this one King.
Unlike Jeroboam and even David, Jesus changed people from the inside. Sinners understood they were in the presence of a holy person. Normally when religious people were around, they felt shamed, shunned, and condemned. But they didn’t feel that way with Jesus. True, they felt conviction, but the guilt, shame and the shunning were gone. They could really change because they were with Jesus!
If I am looking for change, real change, then I need a close, intimate relationship with Jesus Christ. I don’t need Biblical head-knowledge. A relationship with Jesus Christ that is love-based will bring the change I need. I will eagerly read a love-letter from my wife. I want to know all the details, and in rough times, I might memorize some of the things she said. They are precious to me. But I really don’t care about love letters to someone else. If they don’t concern me, why read them? True, they might have some literary value, but nothing that will be life-changing. God’s word is the same. Reading the Bible, attending church, taking communion, and praying only happen when radical change has come from the inside out.
How many Christians are truly living for Christ? I would venture to say it is few. The reason I can say this with some level of confidence is because of what Jesus said,
“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.”
(Matthew 7:13–14, NKJV)
It is a difficult and narrow way that leads to life. But the pathway to hell is wide and accommodating. Too many who profess a belief in Christ are living in sin and lack the strength or even the will to overcome. Something must to change. They read their Bibles, attend church, and still sin controls their lives. They pray and beg the Spirit to give them strength to overcome and yet, they are still in sin. Why? Is God not powerful? Is he not able? Is he too angry and therefore won’t forgive or strengthen? Has he just given us over? Is it that we are not reading our Bibles?
I wonder if a relationship with Jesus Christ is first and foremost in the preaching of many churches today. There are so many distractions. Leaders are being pulled in many directions putting out fires, attempting to keep the lights on by not offending people so they don’t take their money and leave. Then there is the other side of the coin, the pastor that doesn’t care about offending anyone and cries out, “OBEDIENCE!!! SUBMISSION!!!” Without relationship, these two words can make someone believe that they are worthless forced slaves rather than sons and daughters of the King of kings. Relationship always happens first, then comes obedience because of love.
What is to be done? The only thing I can think of is that we must get to know Jesus. We have to be in his presence often. We must learn to love him. If we do, the other things will fall in line. If we love Jesus, we’ll love others. If we love Jesus, we will love his word. If we love Jesus, we will be obedient without a whip! If we love Jesus, we will go to church. If we love Jesus, we will love one another. If we love Jesus, we will love the lost.
O God, help me to love Jesus! Fill me with your Holy Spirit.
The Galatians were considering going back to the rule of the flesh: attempting to gain a right standing with God by following the Law, rather than trusting Jesus Christ and his sacrifice for their salvation. The Law was a taskmaster, every time we stepped out of line, we were whipped back into submission. It was a heavy burden. But then there was a law of love -- something completely different, something that would no longer be a burden, but complete and utter joy.
“For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another! I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.” (Galatians 5:13–18, NKJV)
Not being under law does not mean that we don’t have standards to uphold. It just means that when someone is filled with the Holy Spirit, in submission to his will, they will automatically do what the law says. In verse 22, Paul says that the fruit of the Spirit is love. Love fulfills the law.
Therefore, we are not under a taskmaster anymore, but we live a life of holiness and obedience out of love.
Some leaders are in their position because they truly love people and want to see them grow, but they fail because they are not prepared for the work of the ministry. They can be effective, but often they bring people to a certain level, but can never get beyond to see lives transformed. Other leaders are in their position because they are power-hungry and seek only to further their own “kingdom.” For them, people are a means to an end. We see examples of this in Kings Rehoboam and Jeroboam, and many of the kings of the north, of Israel. We even see this in one of the greatest kings of Judah, Hezekiah, when he sinned against God and judgment was coming, but it wouldn’t come in his time, so he was okay with it!
Effective leadership among the kings are: David, Jehoshaphat, and so many of the kings of the south, of Judah. What set them apart was they were interested in the glory of God, the welfare of their people, and the furtherance of their nation. When the leader makes decisions based upon these three things, they become effective, but they do not change the hearts of rogues. For that, rogues must see these three things lived out in the leader.
Does the supervisor think in terms of the glory of God? Is God’s will first and foremost? Does each decision reflect a commitment to God? It is important in the process of turning rogues into warriors. Does the leader have the best interests of his people in mind? Are decisions being made for what is convenient for the leader or are they being made so that all people will prosper and do well? Is there true justice in judgment? Can the people rely upon the leader to be fair and provide good reasons for doing what they are doing? This is vital to change rogues into men of character. Do the leaders have the best interests of the nation in mind when they make decisions? Are they looking for what benefits their family and their power or are they making hard choices that may be good for the kingdom, but not necessarily good for the king? When rogues see kings sacrificing in order to bring about a better outcome, it turns them from rogues into robust mighty men of valor, warriors of great honor and character.
We need leaders like this.
In the name of Jesus! Amen.
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