Make Salvation Your Priority

"MANY PASTORS HAVE DESTROYED MY VINEYARD, they have trodden my portion under foot, they have made my pleasant portion a desolate wilderness." (Jeremiah 12:10; Capital Emphasis Added)

"Woe be unto the PASTORS THAT DESTROY and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the LORD." (Jeremiah 23:1; Capital Emphasis Added)

My dear Brother or Sister in Christ, the salvation of souls must be the priority of your pastor at this end of the world. I lay it down as a fact that your pastor is no true minister of Christ if he does not seek the salvation of souls at this end of the world. Don't tell me of your pastor's ordination! All may have been done correctly! All may have been done according to rule! He may wear a black suit, and be called a "REVEREND" man or a "MAN OF GOD." But if the salvation of souls is not his grand interest, if the salvation of souls is not his ruling passion, if the salvation of souls is not the absorbing thought of his heart, your pastor is no true minister of the Gospel (Matthew 7:15). He is a hireling. He is not a shepherd (John 10:12, 13). The members of your Church may have called him, but he is not called by the Holy Spirit. Bishops may have ordained him, but he is not ordained by Christ!

For what purpose do you suppose that your pastor has been ordained? Is it merely to wear his ecclesiastical attire? Is it merely to read the Bible and preach a certain number of sermons at Church? Is it merely to administer the Communion, and officiate at weddings and funerals? Is it merely to be in a respectable profession and get a handsome salary? NO! He is sent forth for other ends than these. He is sent forth to turn people from darkness to light (Matthew 4:16), and from the power of Satan unto God (Acts 26:18). He is sent forth to persuade people to flee from the wrath to come (Matthew 3:7). He is sent forth to draw people from the service of the world to the service of God (Matthew 6:24). He is sent forth to awaken the sleeping (Ephesians 5:14). He is sent forth to arouse the careless — and to "by all means save some" (1 Corinthians 9:22).

All is not done when your pastor conducts regular Church services and persuades people to attend them. All is not done, when your pastor fills the Church and people takes their Communion. There must show the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22, 23) among the members of your Church. There must be an evident hatred for sin. There must be a lively faith in Christ. There must be a decided change of heart (Ezekiel 36:26). There must be a separation from the world (2 Corinthians 6:14-17). There must be a holy walk with God. There must be souls saved! Your pastor is an impostor, a blind leader of the blind (Matthew 15:12-14), if he rests satisfied with anything less than the salvation of your soul at this end of the world!

Paul Fonsi