2 Corinthians 6:4 But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, Man is not meant to be a law or an end unto himself. He finds the true secret of his being, who lives, not unto himself, but unto his Lord. To take employment under a wise and holy Master, to engage in a spiritual service, to look up daily for direction and for blessing, to aim at the glory of the Eternal, - this is the true vocation and the true happiness of man. Paul found his strength for labour and his consolation in suffering, not in anything personal, but in losing and merging himself in his Lord and King. I. THE MASTER. Our Lord has bidden us call no man master, by which he directs our attention to the fact that we receive our instructions for duty and our revelations of truth, not from human, but from Divine authority. God is, to those who accept service under him, a wise, just, forbearing, considerate, and liberal Master. In him we find one free from all imperfections of knowledge, and all flaws of character, such as must be expected in all human governors. II. THE SERVICE. In its outward aspects this varies in different cases, so that the life work of no two men is quite the same. "How many serve! how many more May to the service come! - To tend the vines, the grapes to store, Thou dost appoint for some: Thou hast thy young men at the war, Thy little ones at home." III. THE OBLIGATIONS OF SPIRITUAL SERVANTS. 1. Obedience. This is indispensable. The vow which Christians take is that they will be the Lord's servants to obey him. 2. Fidelity. The allegiance due to the Divine Lord must, upon no consideration, be transferred to another; his cause must not be betrayed. 3. Readiness to suffer in the path of devotion. The context shows us that this was an element in Paul's conception of true ministry. IV. THE RECOMPENSE. 1. This is entirely of grace; the purest and the best have no claim to it. 2. Success in ministry is the true servant's best reward. 3. With this is conjoined approval on the Master's part. 4. And the recompense is imperishable and immortal. - T. Parallel Verses KJV: But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, |
    |