“This is a faithful
saying: If a man desires the position of a bishop, he desires a good work.” (1 Timothy 3:1 NKJV)
Paul lets young Timothy know that half-heartedness in a
pastor will be a fatal flaw. He underscores
the word “desires” twice in this
verse to point to the passion a pastor must have—the very passion of God.
The Lord is our Shepherd.
It is His heart that must intertwine with ours, if we are to give
ourselves to the flock, as Jesus gave Himself for the church.
John MacArthur notes:
Two different Gr. words are used.
The first means “to reach out after.” It describes external action, not
internal motive. The second means “a strong passion,” and refers to an inward
desire. Taken together, these two words aptly describe the type of man who
belongs in the ministry—one who outwardly pursues it because he is driven by a
strong internal desire. [1]
Let it be said that there is a fire
that God must kindle in our hearts—not one that we build ourselves. It is like that which Jeremiah described, “If I say, ‘I will not mention him, or speak
any more in his name,’ there is in my heart as it were a burning fire shut up
in my bones, and I am weary with holding it in, and I cannot.” [2]
If God has ignited that flame to
preach His Word in your heart, you will not be content to do anything else. Should this desire to this office be kindled
by any other person, or tainted by any other motive—do anything else, but
preach. If that fire is real, but has
diminished over time, ask God to stoke the flame hotter than ever!
A PRAYER
Father,
You are the Lord our Shepherd. In the incarnation of Your Son, we see the
Perfect Shepherd as He walked among men.
A holy fire—zeal for You—consumed Him.
Please, fuel that fire in those You have called to this crucial
task. Forgive us, where we have grown
cold. Fire us up once more! Thank You for the passion You give that keeps
us serving when others would silence us and circumstances would dampen our
enthusiasm.
In the name of the Chief Shepherd, Jesus,
Amen.
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