I have recently begun working on my Doctorate of Ministry in Disciple-Making, and one of the first things I have been learning is that the call to ministry is a dangerous calling. It is dangerous because we are not only fighting the spiritual battle against sin around us (in the culture, in the lives of those we minister to, etc.) but we are also fighting that same spiritual battle within us. Those who have been called to full-time ministry are still right in the middle of their own sanctification; they have not arrived yet. We are still fighting against sin that rages within us, and have to be reminded on a regular basis that the grace we are leading others into is the same grace that we ourselves are in desperate need of.
In the book titled “Dangerous Calling” by Paul David Tripp, he says that “You are most loving, patient, kind, and gracious when you are aware that there is no truth that you could give to another that you don’t desperately need yourself. You are most humble and gentle when you think that the person you are ministering to is more like you than unlike you.” This is a reminder that I regular need as a minister of the Gospel. This is also a reminder that each of us as followers of Jesus need as we minister to those whom God has allowed us to share life with.
Although I think everyone reading this would heartily agree with the above statement, living this out daily becomes complicated. It becomes complicated because, as Tripp goes on to explain, we all have spiritual blindness, and there is a difference between spiritual blindness and physical blindness. Someone who has physical blindness is aware that they are blind, and so they compensate by other means to help them overcome that limitation. Those who are spiritually blind are also blind to the fact that they are blind! We are completely unaware of the limitations we have from sin unless it is revealed by the Spirit through the Word or the body of Christ around us. This is why community within the body is so vital, because you and I cannot see the sin that is hindering us without outside help.
So here I am, a broken, sinful child of God in the middle of his own sanctification, in desperate need of the grace of Jesus that I so often declare to others, openly proclaiming that I am still a work in progress. I have not arrived. I am still blind to my own sin, and recognize that God uses the Spirit to reveal that sin to me through the power of His Word and His Body. Thankfully, I am surrounded by a wonderful church, a wonderful godly wife, and am being held accountable by a small group of godly men through one of our “A-Teams” who regularly call me to the higher standard as revealed in scripture.
If this is not the case in your life, don’t put it off. We have great opportunities for small group discipleship at our church. You (and I) desperately need it, for it is vital to our sanctification. Please reach out to someone to get plugged into real community if that is lacking in your life.
Love you church!
Caleb Hecox