“A
bishop then must be…temperate, sober-minded…” (1 Timothy
3:2 NKJV)
When we stack these two characteristics in succession, the
seriousness of the shepherd’s responsibility is underscored. Warren Wiersbe adds this: “‘keep your
head in all situations’ (niv). A pastor needs to exercise sober, sensible
judgment in all things.”[1]
A leader must think clearly. He must be able to process information and
come to a sound decision. Standing in
the middle of a spiritual war zone, he keeps his cool under fire. Calm and confidence in Christ must be
conveyed to the army he leads. There can
be no evasion of duty. If he goes into a
foxhole for a moment, it is only to pray and collect his thoughts. Surrender to a fortress mentality is
forbidden—sulking in despair—when the fight must be taken to the enemy! If the man who answers the call to pastor a
church does not recognize the seriousness of his responsibility, both he and
those he leads are sitting ducks for the Devil!
Being sober-minded means that the shepherd of God’s flock
takes spiritual matters seriously. It
does not suggest that he goes around with a long face, somber voice or that he
is forbidden to use humor, but that his heart is saturated with the seriousness
of his duty. He must not be casual or
careless about the work of God. He dare
not be irreverent concerning holy things!
A good shepherd has taken up the burden of the
Lord—willfully and even joyfully. But,
he must do so seriously.
There will be tears.
He will have a heart that is broken over the things that break the heart
of God. His mourning over the sufferings
of the sheep will be evident. That
weeping flows from the well of connection with the Man of Sorrows and compassion
for His people. How can the pastor help
but be sober-minded?
A
PRAYER
Dear Gracious
God,
How can
we look at Calvary and fail to understand the
seriousness of our work? After all it
cost You and Your Son, dare we grieve the Holy Spirit who mourns for straying
sheep by being irresponsible and irreverent in our calling? God forbid!
May we always hallow your name and handle with care the holy task You
have thrust upon us. Today, let us be
gripped by the gravity of our assignment on earth and our accountability in
eternity!
In the
name of our Blessed Redeemer, Jesus,
Amen.
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