Longing to Know and Serve Christ
It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do.
1 Timothy 3:1
Martyn Lloyd-Jones once said, “If a person does not love fundamental truths, and desire to know them more, he has no claim to be regarded as a Christian.” Likewise, when it comes to pastoral ministry, any man who has no longing to know more of Christ and give his life in service to him is certainly not fit to be his chosen overseer, and has not been called to do so.
The proper attitude commended for such a calling is stated in Paul’s introduction to the necessary qualifications of the office. He says, “If any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do.” The verb translated “aspires” means literally “to stretch oneself.” It could be used figuratively to illustrate a runner straining and stretching to cross the finish line. The second verb, translated “desires” means “to long for” and denotes craving for something with all one’s heart. So Paul is saying that any man who is straining and stretching with all his being to serve Christ as one of his under-shepherds is doing so because he has an inner longing to labor in that capacity. This kind of aspiration finds its source in the Spirit’s work in a man’s heart, a supernatural calling and gifting fueled by a man’s longing to know and serve Christ. Clearly it is not the office he seeks, but the service; an opportunity to labor for the Master he lovingly adores and seeks to know more fully. If the desire is sincere, God accepts the desire for the deed and blesses according to faithfulness. This is a great encouragement for those whose labor seems to be spent in vain in what appears to be a fruitless ministry.
What hypocrisy for a man to claim to be an under-shepherd of the Great Shepherd when he has no yearning to experience more of his infinite glory, greatness, and power. What man can possibly speak accurately of the unsearchable riches of Christ when he himself has no private devotion to him or intimate fellowship with him? What branch can possibly bear the fruit of Christlikeness if it has little desire to abide in the Vine of Christ himself as he has commanded? Has he not said, “for apart from Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5)? How can a man pray in harmony with the will of God if the Lord is a stranger to him and God’s Word is not flowing through his veins? No man can ever be saturated with the Word of Christ apart from a passionate longing to continually abide in his presence; only then can he “ask whatever [he] wish, and it will be done for [him]” (v. 7).
Only when a man has an insatiable desire to know more of Christ will he experience the soul-satisfying joy of his presence deep within his soul, and only then will he be a fit vessel for the Master’s use. Only then will he bear much fruit for the glory of God. Would that every servant of Christ be so committed.
© COPYRIGHT NOTICE 2023 BY DAVID HARRELL AND SHEPHERD’S FIRE. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
