Whatever carnal titles of honour men may give to professed ministers
of the Gospel, the conscience of the unregenerate will not account
them holy men of God unless they be such of a truth.
For those who are to exercise any office in the church—that
of evangelist, pastor,—it is not knowledge and utterance only
which are needed; but also, and above all, grace and an unblameable
conversation. Whilst they be harmless as doves in regard to carnal
policy, they should be wise as serpents in respect of spiritual
wisdom and prudence, so as to "cut off occasion from them which
desire occasion." (2 Cor. 11:12.)
It was a small thing with Paul to be judged by the saints at
Corinth. Whatever their judgments, he is intent on doing them
good, and holds on his course, glorifying God. He labours to
restore them to a sound heart and mind. "We do all things, dearly
beloved, for your edifying: for I fear lest, when I come, I shall
not find you such as I would." (2 Cor. 12:19.20.)
The servant of the Lord Jesus must be instant in season and out
of season, knowing that he is the Lord's messenger to every one
with whom he has to do: ever learning of the Lord; for, seeing
that he is to be continually ministering to others, he must be
receiving fresh supplies from the God of all grace through all
channels. Meditation of the Word and prayer should occupy the
chief part of his time. In his public ministry and private conversation,
he should aim at heart and conscience, seeking in every way to
magnify Christ and abase the creature. In short, he should set
the Lord always before him, and so walk in His steps as to represent
Him to every eye.
If Paul had much joy in his spiritual children at Philippi, he
had much profit, though little joy, by those at Corinth, who
by their many evils gave him so great occasion to show the heart
of Christ.
Those who walk with God hear His voice and He employs them.
A good workman gains skill by his mistakes.
The Lord Jesus always finds service for willing hearts and willing
hands: let us desire only that service for which He has fitted
us.
If each child of God, each member of Christ, had due conscience
of his own accountability, we should soon see better things in
the church of God. If we be careless in the Lord's service, He
will surely require it of us.
Let the servants of Christ put toil and hardship by the side
of the recompense, and look well to the state of their hearts,
taking heed day by day that they please God: so will they be
always rejoicing, though always sorrowful.
The joy and triumph of faith are only to be found in the way
of unreserved consecration of ourselves to God, and of diligent
service of Christ.
All who labour for Christ shall receive great wages for little
toil.
It is our wisdom to account the pleasing God our great reward.
If we leave it altogether to His will how and when to give us
fruit of our labour, we shall obtain abundantly what, as our
chief aim, we do not seek.
Martha would please the Lord in her own way; Mary in her Lord's
way. There are many who would please the Lord; but in their own
way, for lack of trying their works by the Scriptures: amid much
labour they are unspiritual and barren.
From the charge of Paul to Timothy (1 Tim. 4:12-16), we gather
the true and proper character of the servant of God.
The work of a servant of the Lord demands entire self-denial.
"Even Christ pleased not Himself" (Rom. 15:3). He must be the
servant of all men for Jesus' sake, that he may be, under his
Lord, a leader and a commander of the people: the foremost to
suffer; the most laborious in all service; ever caring for others,
ever forgetting himself.