Sunday, May 20, 2007

1 Timothy 3:1

1-2 "It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do. An overseer, then, must be..."

I notice how Paul doesn't say "If any man feels called or is led to the office..." Why is this so often over-spiritualized in our churches? You have to "feel called" or you can't enter the club.
A 15-year old comes forward and "feels called" to "the ministry."

I acknowledge that God has a plan for each of His children, and we ought to say "If God wills..." (James 4:13-17). But, when you talk to pastors about entering the ministry they so often ask "Tell me about when you were called."
Paul doesn't say anything about that. He just says "if any man aspires to" and then gives a list of requirements. If a man doesn't meet those requirements, he can't be an overseer. There's no supernatural "I felt called..." requirement.
It's no different than saying "If any man aspires to be an accountant...then, (he) must be..."

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