The true test of a church leader’s work 1 Corinthians 3:14-15 It is a great responsibility to be a church leader (James 3:1). Many church leaders worry whether they are teaching the right things in their churches. Even Paul had felt this kind of fear (Galatians 2:2). It was not just a fear of whether he was wasting his time. It was also a fear of whether other people were suffering as a result. There has to be a test of a church leader’s work. God lives in his people, so church leaders are in fact building the house of God (3:16-17). Only the most precious materials belong in God’s house. God’s house must be perfect in every way if it is to be fit and proper for God to live there. But, of course, church leaders are not perfect, and their work has many weaknesses. So God allows a test that, like fire, removes those weaknesses. For some church leaders, that test will bring about the loss of almost all their work. They will see that they taught their own ideas, and not God’s word (the Bible). They will understand that they did not teach people to trust Christ. They will know that their work for God was weak and unsatisfactory. But still, if they themselves have sincerely trusted in Christ, God will save them. Their loss will be great, but they will still have their own relationship with Christ. But other church leaders genuinely study and teach God’s word. They constantly urge people to trust Christ. They may only have small churches, and other people may not consider them successful. But at God’s judgement, their work will last. And God will have a wonderful reward for them. While the souls of the children of this world cleave to the earth as their portion, the children of light are greatly burdened, because of the remains of carnal affections in their hearts. It is unspeakable comfort to a gracious soul, to think with what tenderness all its complaints are received by a gracious God. We can talk of the wonders of redeeming love, when we understand the way of Gods precepts, and walk in that way. The penitent melts in sorrow for sin: even the patient spirit may melt in the sense of affliction, it is then its interest to pour out its soul before God. The way of lying means all false ways by which men deceive themselves and others, or are deceived by Satan and his instruments. Those who know and love the law of the Lord, desire to know it more, and love it better. The way of serious godliness is the way of truth; the only true way to happiness: we must always have actual regard to it. Those who stick to the word of God, may in faith expect and pray for acceptance with God. Lord, never leave me to do that by which I shall shame myself, and do not thou reject my services. Those that are going to heaven, should still press forward. God, by his Spirit, enlarges the hearts of his people when he gives them wisdom. The believer prays to be set free from sin. Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, bee acceptable in thy sight, O Lord my strength, and my redeemer. Psalm 19:14 Make me to understand the way of thy justifications: and I shall be exercised in thy wondrous works. Psalm 119:27 Give me understanding, so that I may keep your law and obey it with all my heart. Psalm 119:34
Posted on: Sat, 25 Jan 2014 12:05:35 +0000
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