True Shepherds Protect the Birthright by Bishop Nancy Drew

My dear Shepherds. There is something I must tell you. You are Jacob. You own the birthright!
Protect it. Do not let anyone take from you what God Himself has given to you. False shepherds may try do not let them. The enemy of out souls may try. Do not let them. You may be tempted to give it up[ because you are tired, weary or discourage but do not give it up. Value what God has given to you as a true Shepherd.

We are living in a day of false shepherds like I have not seen. Though they proclaim the name of Christ Jesus many times they are only "name dropping;” using the name of Christ to get what they want for themselves.  This may sound strange to hear because in some parts of the world true shepherds are being persecuted for the Name of Christ Jesus. But what I am telling you is true and it is a shame.

How do we tell true shepherds from false shepherds? Let’s look at the word of God.
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers. This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them (John 10: 1-6).

Who is the true shepherd? The one who enters through the door of the sheepfold. He does not have to come in another way. He does not have to be secretive or devious. He does not have to manipulate or jostle for position. He is recognized by the porter and the sheep hear his voice and follow him. So there are two witnesses to the true shepherd  the porter and the people of God, the sheep. The sheep recognize this shepherd because he is speaking the words of Christ Jesus and he is emulating Christ Jesus. The fruit that is in his ministry is righteous fruit because it has been planted from righteous seed.  The true shepherd is a saved man or woman who has entered through the door who is Christ Jesus Our Lord for Jesus said,”I am the door..”  The true shepherd then proclaims the message of Christ and the power of the blood of Jesus our savior. He knows where his salvation lies and from whence comes his very life. 

The true shepherd is a Spirit lead man or woman. Previous to the verses in John 10 above Jesus was speaking of the Pharisees in chapter 9. Jesus taught us to be ware of the leaven, the hypocrisy of the Pharisees. To beware of their leaven is to guard ourselves from their weaknesses and those things that they seek after. They seek after acclaim in the marketplace and the honoring of man. They will follow the law to the letter according to themselves and leave out justice and mercy which Christ requires.
Jesus called them "thieves and robbers.” They are after money regardless of the effect it has on the sheep so they can use it for their own purposes while proclaiming it is God’s will that is being honored. However, where the Spirit  of the Lord is there is an honoring of God, Christ Jesus the King not just in word but in deed. Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is liberty. The true shepherd encourages liberty in serving God and in rejoicing in the king and does not seek position for himself or Lord his authority over the sheep or beat the sheep. The true shepherd does not have to because the Holy Spirit and the people of God bear witness of them and follow them. There is no room for control or manipulation of God’s people in Christ’s Church. He will not stand for it. He will not tolerate stealing life from his people rather than bringing life to them. We represent Him who is the Chief Shepherd. We are His under shepherd’s. It is a place of honor but it is not a place from which to abuse the sheep or flock of God.
The false shepherd is a false teacher. He is a false teacher because he does not come from God. He may even teach truth from scripture but because he or she does not know God themselves they are false teachers and therefore false pastors/shepherds. They may teach what tickles the ears to please some who are influential or to gain favor for themselves but they are false. The end result of the false shepherd is that they have come to kill, steal and destroy. The false shepherd will repeatedly seek to destroy God’s called out ones rather than raising them up to God’s service. Shepherds are suppose to beget other shepherds and train them how to care for the sheep of Christ the way Christ Himself would do. The false shepherd kills with the law while the true shepherd brings life by the Spirit. The false shepherd does this because they have not the Spirit of God within them or they have not allowed the Spirit of God within them to be in charge. False shepherds fleece the sheep. True shepherds care for the sheep and they themselves cannot be bought for a bowl of porridge as Esau was. False shepherds want the birthright for what it can give them they do not value it because it came from the Father. Jacob loved the birthright  and that is why he was the rightful heir.

Jacobs of ministry do not let false shepherds take your birthright from you and do not participate in taking the birthright from the flock of God. In this hour we are called upon as God’s true shepherds to guard the sheep with all diligence but also to guard out own hearts with all diligence that we not fall into any of these traps that are found in false shepherds. I pray God’s peace and blessings over each one of you today. May we all walk worthy of our calling. God is good to us. Let us love Him well. Let us be like Him who is the Good Shepherd, the True Shepherd who laid down his life for the sheep who we also are.

To summarize: The true shepherd thinks of the sheep,the false shepherds think of  themselves
The watchman, the porter, other ministers the Holy Spirit and the people of God recognize the true shepherd from the false. We are responsible to guard the sheep if we are shepherds. We are responsible as sheep to discern and ignore the false shepherd and not let them lead us astray. False shepherds will rebuke people for  not following them lording their authority over them  and say they are not submissive be ware that the sheep  may be discerning the true spirit of the shepherd. The false shepherd kills the life of the sheep, steals from the sheep and ultimately brings destruction. The true shepherd brings life to the sheep and life abundantly, gives to the sheep and builds up the sheep and recognizes others called to ministry so they can be raised up.

The true shepherd defends the sheep. The false shepherd leaves when attack or hardship comes. The false shepherd deserts the sheep. The true shepherd stands.  The false shepherd didn't care for the sheep, he only looked after them for the money and left them when danger approached. The true shepherd had a special relationship with the sheep, He knew each of them by name and they knew His voice, they trusted Him and followed Him willingly to cool waters and green pastures. They lived in peace under his watchful and caring eye.God’s peace-Shalom to All. Bless you  as we fight the good fight and serve the Lord together.