Cold Water Ministry

Mark, in his account of the gospel, highlighted how difficult it is for sinners to understand Christian ministry. This is certainly true of unconverted sinners but it was equally true of the converted sinners in Jesus’ inner circle. In chapter 9, Mark told us that Jesus had instructed his disciples about the humble ministry of the Son of Man (9:30-32). This was not the first time that He told them what He would soon undergo, however, they still failed to appreciate His teaching.

That is apparent because immediately after this they were arguing about which one of them was the greatest (9:33-34)!

In response to their self-centered discussion, Jesus taught them about the true nature of Christian ministry. He told them that service as a slave was the action that was most consistent with greatness. That is to say that the ministry that God identifies with a great person is oftentimes seen as insignificant in the eyes of the world. Jesus said, “Whoever receives one child like this in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me does not receive Me, but Him who sent Me” (v. 37).

The truth that Jesus seems to have been communicating is this: even receiving a child in order to minister to that child is equivalent to ministering to Jesus Himself, and even to ministering to the Father! That is the importance of ministering humbly, even to those who have no social standing or political importance. But Jesus went on to give another example. In verse 41 He said that, “whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because of your name as followers of Christ, truly I say to you, he will not lose his reward.”

The point is this: God’s economy of ministry is vastly different than man’s. The thing that seems to be of little value in man’s eyes is worthy of remembrance in God’s eyes, for what value does a cup of water have in our estimation? It is esteemed lightly and forgotten quickly, yet God does not fail to remember such humble service.

Check your heart, then, Christians, and see if your evaluation of service is in line with God’s. Maybe you feel that God has called you to great things and, if you are a Christian, I assure that God has called you to great things. But the great things that God calls us to may not be the things that we think of as great. Sometimes we bypass simple, humble opportunities to minister so that we can search for dramatic, public opportunities. If our estimation of greatness is based on the visibility and recognition of an act, we have almost certainly forgotten the words (and works) of Christ.

As you look at your life, consider how God has given you opportunities to minister within your sphere of influence. Do not search for the limelight, but rather for the pleasure of God (2 Cor. 5:9), who sees what is done in secret (Matt. 6:1-21). Store up the treasure that lasts forever even if in the eyes of the world it appears to be foolishly unremarkable. God is not duped; He sees the littlest and greatest of actions—and the motivations that underlie them, whether good or bad.

Do not be ashamed to be a Christian water boy, if God has so called you.

--Dean of Admissions

“You are those who justify themselves in the sign of men, but God knows your hearts; for that which is highly esteemed among men is detestable in the sight of God.”

                                                --Jesus of Nazareth (Luke 16:15)

Theology and Devotion

It is not uncommon to describe Christian books using one of two adjectives; in our thinking, these books tend to be either devotional or theological. By ‘devotional,’ we mean that these books focus on our relationship with God and especially emphasize the deepening of our communion with Him. Book that are ‘theological,’ on the other hand, are descriptive works that center on the character of God or on His actions in history.

I will argue today that the implicit divide between devotional and theological works is actually nonexistent.

It seems probable that we all know the division between these two categories is artificial. That is to say, I doubt that anyone seeks to build a strong case that there is an absolutely strict division between the two types of writing. Nevertheless, I think that we dichotomize strongly between the two emphases, maybe even to the point that we unconsciously view the two as distinct.

We need to assess biblically about what it means to be devotional or theological in our thinking, speaking, preaching, and writing. What does the Bible say about theology? Theology is the knowledge of God; it is the truth about His character and deeds. All true theology arises from God’s Word. We have been given the task of disseminating that knowledge (Col. 3:16; 2 Tim. 2:2, 4:2).  Because we have the inspired revelation of God in Scripture we are able to think, speak, preach, and write in line with the truth (John 8:31-32, 2 Tim. 3:16-17). We should devote ourselves to knowing God through His Word.

If God’s Word is source of truth, what does the Bible say about devotion? It is at this point that we are able to see the connection between theology and devotion, for the Scriptures inextricably link the two. Consider Jesus’ prayer for Christians in John 17:17, “Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth.” Jesus request was for growth in devotion for believers, but He linked that growth to the truth of God’s Word. The primary truth we find in Scripture is theological truth, it is reliable knowledge of who God is. Also, Paul told the Thessalonians that they had turned from false idols to the living and true God (1 Thes. 1:9). In the very next chapter, as he described his reception among them, he said that they had received Word of God as the Word of God, that is, as the truth and not as speculation (1 Thes. 2:13). At the end of that verse, however, he describes the Word of God using this phrase: “…the Word of God, which also performs its work in you who believe.” So Paul links the truth of the word to the working of that word. Our devotion to God is effected by the truth about God.

This inherently makes sense. The same Spirit who teaches us about God (1 Cor. 2:10-16) also brings about the fruit of obedience (Gal. 5:22-25). The idea seems to be that when we know God better, we are more and more enraptured with Him and thus more devoted to Him. God’s loveliness, when it is seen in its true glory (theology), causes us to worship Him more and more fervently (devotion). For this reason, it is impossible to strictly dichotomize the two.

Now, it may be helpful to describe certain works as more devotional in focus, or more theological in purpose, but the two are intimately connected. In order to grow in devotion, we must know God better. As we know Him better, we will be more devoted to Him. Sometimes the most devotional works are the works that describe His character most fully and deeply. Alternately, when we see how we are called to worship and serve our God, we gain an understanding of His great character.

--Dean of Admissions

(Note: if you doubt that theological accuracy leads to devotional fervency, read John Owen.)