“Do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” (Jesus, Luke 10:20)
Jesus said that we should not rejoice in our perceived blessings or accomplishments, but in the privilege of eternal life. For someone in “full time ministry,” it is tragically easy to shape our identity around who we are in the church, or what we do in the church, rather than who we are in Christ. In other words, a minister must be a Christian! He is not a minister, but a Christian minister – and it is the word “Christian” that must always be capitalized.
Satan also tempts ministers to think, “It sure would be nice if I were just an ‘ordinary’ Christian. Life would be so much easier.” Yet Jesus said:
“No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:62)
This stark statement applies not only to ministers, however. Just as all ministers are called to be Christians, so also all Christians are called to be ministers. It is tempting to think, “No need to fight too hard – after all, I’m just an ‘ordinary’ Christian.” Yet the discipleship Jesus demands is for all his followers – we are all called to personal holiness, imitation of our Lord, and service to him within our sphere of influence.
By the way, Jesus is the only one who put his hand to the plow and never looked back. Even the greatest apostles grew weary, denying Jesus with their words or actions. We must rest entirely in what Jesus has done for us, not what we can do for him. Yet at the same time, we must have it as our intention and desire to follow Jesus fully – for this is the kind of heart God gives his true children.
Are you a Christian minister? Or are you a ministerial Christian? Either way, make sure the word “Christian” is capitalized – but also make sure you are ministering in his name, to his glory.
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