Run the Race with Endurance

 

Happy Labor Day

And may the Son-shine on you this day 

as He does everyday

 Kids, Cuz's & 250K


Run the Race with Endurance

Tony Gaskins is a motivational speaker who stated the following, “Love did not hurt you.  Someone who does not know how to love you hurt you. Don’t confuse the two”.

 There are so many applications of this statement. I just want to follow behind and state this applies to those who the clerical collar.  Those who are entrusted to ministry positions must take special care not to injure their flock.  Every day, I see in the paper where a minister has made mistakes that leave a mark on the congregation. 

 A recently released movie, “Honk for Jesus, Save Your Soul” starring Regina Hall and Sterling K Brown is a satire about a dysfunctional pastor and first lady.  It’s another of many Hollywood shots at the church.  It saddens me that the church has provided enough material for these kinds of movies to be produced.

As you know the word minister has Latin roots and simply means to serve. The intention of the word is the "needs of others above yours, servitude".  A minister's responsibility is clearly and concisely defined in the scriptures below.


1 Peter 5:2-3  

Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly—not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God. Don’t lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your own good example.

 

1 Timothy 3:1-5

This is a trustworthy saying: “If someone aspires to be a church leader, he desires an honorable position.”


So a church leader must be a person

  • Whose life is above disappointment and disapproval.
  • He must be faithful to his spouse.
  • He must exercise self-control, live wisely, and have a good reputation. He must enjoy having guests in his home, and he must be able to teach.
  • He must not be a drinker or be violent.
  • He must be gentle, not quarrelsome, and not love money.  
  • He must manage his own family well

 

2 Timothy 4:2

Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching.

When ministers go off course and seriously injures one of God’s flock there is a heavy price to pay.

Matt 18:5-9

If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.

I have always taken the role in high reverence and make no excuses for any minister’s very bad behavior.  I can offer a sincere apology to those who been have hurt by bad behavior.   Having said all this, ministers make mistakes, and some are quite egregious.   I am sure this is not a secret to anyone.  This is why it is incumbent on you to base your beliefs, your salvation cornerstone on the man upstairs and not the one in the pulpit.  Bible says . . .

Hebrews 12:1-2

Let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross.

Christ did not let the pain others inflicted on Him deter Him from His course.  Neither should we.  Back to the point of the statement above.  “Love did not hurt you.  Someone who does not know how to love you hurt you. Don’t confuse the two”.  Love is God. God is Love. God is infallible. Love is infallible.  The thought I am leaving with is God has never failed you.  Continue to stay with Him even the best of men may fail you.

Song of the Week

“Old ChurchBasement”, 2021, Elevation Worship & Maverick City (Dallas), Ensemble congregational mid-tempo, lyrics in video


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