Having considered the minister's tools and task, we turn to his attitude to the work. With his eye fixed on Christ's return, there is effort – he labours: steady, wearisome work to the point of exhaustion, leaving a man feeling as if he has had a beating. In labouring, there is exertion – he strives: he is engaged in concentrated and intense struggle. He is called to a life of total strain on the whole man: even when the bow of his humanity is unstrung, it is so that he might return to the good work of ministry rejuvenated. Ministers need to recognise these demands, and make up their mind to them. There is no room for lazy and careless men, casual corner-cutters.
But how is such a life sustained? In his effort and exertion there is energy, the working of Christ that works in him mightily. He is not superhuman, but the energy by which he effectively works is supernatural, for God supplies and sustains his servants. His sufficiency is of Christ.
This is the way that the minister is to live. It is the way that anyone enters into the kingdom: the man's earnest effort, the Lord's mighty work. It is the way that anyone advances in the kingdom: ministers are to be an example to the flock. They are responsible for the charge given and the standard set, but they cannot answer for the response of God's people. Every child of God, in accordance with his calling, is to consecrate himself to the King and his kingdom in the same way.
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