Church, We Are Not God: The Flaws of Gospel Ministers
No one is
perfect. This is said so often by nearly everyone in our society that it has
become just about meaningless to most people including the church. We tend to say
one thing but live another; we speak of the grace of God as if it only applies
to the best people or who we at least consider to be the best. If we are
honest, “the best” is very relative. What is not relative though is all of
humanity’s inherent sinfulness and inability to ever choose righteousness apart
from Christ. Every single person in existence is equally flawed; no one is
better than another. This is truth and fact. Yet we so often forget that this
is applicable to even those called to the holy work of God. The common
subconscious view is that because one is called to gospel ministry, he or she
is exempt from radical and total depravity or that he or she is not worthy of
God’s grace if a mistake is made. Nothing could be further from the truth.
God’s Anointed Fight Human Nature Just Like Anyone Else
The
tendency in most churches is to place ministers on a higher plane than the lay
member. The truth is, however, that we are just as fallen and wretched as
anyone else. We are simply engaging in and accomplishing a task God has called
us to, no different from what anyone else should be doing. Paul considered
himself the chief of sinners. I personally can relate to that, not as a matter
of low self-esteem but as complete realization of where I have been. I am no
better (and am probably worse in many regards) that anyone else. This is true
for all ministers. God has delivered us from the stench of sin, but we continue
to fight through our struggles. It is difficult for many people to think of
Christianity as a toil or a struggle. I don’t know where the idea comes from
that resisting sin should be easy once we are saved and especially for those
who are ministers of the gospel, but it exists. We say often that everyone
struggles, but when someone actually does, particularly when they are a
minister, we write them off as if they should not have struggled with sin.
I have seen
many ministers fall in my life, and I have been one who fell. Does that negate
the fact that God called me to serve him? No. Once I thought it did, but God
showed me otherwise. Paul, in Romans 7, says that he does the things he does
not want to do and does not do the things he wants to do. Even Jesus himself,
in Matthew 26:41, said that the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. We are
in a constant battle against our human nature that does not stop because of
salvation. No, it continues and perhaps to an even greater degree because our
flesh is constantly being killed and there is an ever-present awareness of God’s
work in our lives. For those who struggle, you are in good company. Consider
King David. If he committed the sins he committed in a modern context, society
would completely write him off and perhaps even apply labels to him thinking
that he is not worthy of anything, especially God’s grace. It is not a matter
of who is worthy of God’s grace (because no one is), but it is a matter of the
desperate need of his grace. Ministers are no different.
We are not super humans; nor do we
have special powers or the ability to resist temptation more than anyone else.
It is time that people stop placing unrealistic expectations of ministers of God.
Trust me; we don’t get paid enough for that. In all seriousness though, we are
fallen people just as anyone else, and our sanctification process is the same
as anyone else. We go through trials; we are depressed; we struggle; we have
angry thoughts; we use bad language; we lust; and we fight through these
things, and sometimes we fail. God’s grace is not only for lay members but also
for clergy. Let us experience his grace just as you do, and pray for us.
Satan Attacks Those Serving the Lord More
Satan’s
attacks are heavy and difficult, especially for those serving in ministry. It
is not that Satan does not attack those who are not in ministry and sometimes
just as much if not more, but because the church is the honored and loved bride
of Christ, the enemy spends much of his time attacking the church and her
leaders, namely preachers of the gospel. This means that often the attacks are
heavier and perhaps even more than the typical person. If Satan can win over
the ministers, he can live under the illusion that he has defeated the church.
Nothing could be further from the church. The church is not built on people or
ministers but only on Jesus Christ so the church will stand firm for all time. Satan’s
attacks are in vain then, and when God’s people live in the grace and mercy of
Jesus Christ, we show it to others including our ministers who make mistakes
far more than people expect them to. What a testimony to the world when we
actually forgive as Christ forgave and see God working through fallen ministers
who are in desperate need of God’s grace just as much as anyone else. Let us be
a people of mercy.
There Is No Disqualification from Ministry Except that One Is Not
Called to Begin With
I grew up
under the illusion that if someone committed an atrocious sin (which might be
very relative to what people consider atrocious), they were automatically
disqualified from ministry. I thought this even when I had a great fall while
serving in ministry. I became OK with the thinking that because of what I had done,
I was now disqualified from ministry. I took some time off from ministry
thinking it was permanent and pursued other endeavors till the Lord slowly
began to open doors of opportunity for me unexpectedly and without me pursuing
them. Eventually I was reminded that when he called me to ministry, it was not
because of what I had done. Nothing I had done qualified me for ministry, and
nothing I had done disqualified me. Certainly I needed a break, but after
struggling through whether or not God could ever use me again as a minister of
the gospel, I stopped resisting and came to a point where I trusted God and
committed to serving him no matter the cost and no matter what people thought
of it. The truth is that there is not a disqualification from ministry unless
that person is not called to begin with.
Paul told Timothy that overseers or
pastors should be above reproach. The problem is that the interpretation of
what that means varies. Some might say that to be above reproach means not
having a disreputable past; others might say that the past doesn’t matter but
only what one’s life is like after salvation; still others might even say that
it is a matter of a repentant heart after one makes mistakes. Everyone makes
mistakes; this is a well-known truth that not many would deny. Where is the
line drawn then? What does it mean to be above reproach?
I submit
that to be above reproach is a matter of a repentant heart. I say this for a
few reasons. 1) God looks at the heart above the outward appearance, and 2) the
Greek text in 1 Timothy 3:2 suggests this. It is to the church’s detriment that
manmade standards have been placed on gospel ministers. This does not include
only educational standards (which I believe are often bogus) but also standards
of morality. When dealing with the morality of ministers, there are two things
to keep in mind. First of all, our morality must be measured first and foremost
and God through his word. This means that no one can truly measure up to being
a moral person. Secondly, we must rid ourselves of personal convictions applied
using a general scope. In other words, if it is not strictly forbidden or
commanded in Scripture, we should not apply it to everyone, and this includes
ministers. This is done often in the selection process of a pastor. Sadly
standards are placed on ministers that are not only impossible but also have
little to no biblical foundation, only personal convictions. God does not look
at outward manmade standards. When God selects someone to serve him, it is not
because of their character at all, in fact. It is because he desires to glorify
himself by using that person in a particular way. This is irrespective of what
they have done or even will do.
The Greek
text also suggests a general concept of morality in being above reproach. It,
in no way, implies perfection. The morality of a minister is measured against a
holy God so we fail every time. Is the minister’s heart repentant though? The
church should stop looking at only the mistakes of fallen ministers but look
more at the heart of the person who committed the sin. God’s grace is
sufficient for all, yet all who receive his grace are recipients of it
including ministers. We are not exempt from receiving the grace of God or
fellow Christians simply because we serve in such a capacity.
Ministers
are called to a holy task and one that must be taken seriously. Nevertheless,
ministers will still struggle and, yes, sin and perhaps even sin greatly. It does
not negate the call though. Whether one is called of God or not is between that
person and God. Maybe they are; maybe they aren’t. There are surely times when
one must take time off from ministry, but the call is irrespective of what has
or has not been done. The evidence of God’s work in their life then is found in
repentance.
Never Forget God Is Strong in Human Weakness, Not Strength
A scripture
that is so very evident in my life is 2 Corinthians 12:10. Paul, when speaking
of his thorn in the flesh, says that God is strong when he is weak. This is
applicable to every single person, but we often do not realize it until we
experience our deepest weakness. At that point, the mature and repentant
Christian is thankful for weakness because then and only then can we truly
express God’s abundant mercy and work in our lives. It has nothing to do with
us or our ability. What would happen if churches called pastors based on God’s
strength in their weakness rather than their abilities? I think we would see
more humility among God’s people and, therefore, a greater work. Ministry is accomplished
on God’s strength, not our own. If it is our own, it is not ministry, and it is
ineffective. Seminary degrees, intelligence, knowledge of original languages,
and speaking ability are useless without God’s work in our weakness.
The church must realize that
ministers, though called of God, are not God. We are wretched sinners just the
same as anyone else, and we make mistakes. Our mistakes are often magnified
though. Yes, many of us have fallen greatly, but even in the seemingly smaller
sins, people magnify our faults and escalate our weakness. Above reproach does
not mean perfect; nor does it mean disqualification after a mistake. Brothers
and sisters, we are imperfect, and like you, God is sanctifying us. We will mess
up; it is guaranteed. But the Father views us in light of his Son’s mercy. We
work and toil just like you. We are in this together. Let us lead with
assurance that God is a merciful God and that we all equally do not deserve any
of his goodness. In Christ, let us minister and fulfill our calling with your
help alongside us.
