Chapter 59. Use 2
may say, "Woe to us if we are negligent in this, and woe to us if, by our scandalous lives, we hinder the fruit of our own preaching, as well as that of other men." But we shall let that pass.
Chapter 59.
Use 2 In the second place, labour to inform yourselves of this: when you see any faithful minister earnest in the work of his ministry, understand the reason behind it. Perhaps some of you wonder why he cannot be content as others are. Know where the foundation lies— it is in this: it is the Ministry of the Gospel that is committed to him.
He knows it is a glorious ministry, he sees much of Jesus Christ in it, and the glory of God shines through it. If he is faithful and possesses any love for Christ, the saints, and their souls, it is impossible for him not to be earnest in it.
Paul was so earnest that the people thought him mad, even in this very chapter where my text is taken, in verse 13. "You may think we are beside ourselves; well, it is for your sake, and it is the love of Christ that constrains us. We cannot help but do what we do," as the Apostle Peter says in another place. So says any faithful minister:
"Think of it what you will, we cannot but speak of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ; we must share what we have seen and what we have heard from the Ministry of the Gospel ourselves." It is the love of Christ that compels us. As stated in verse 11, "Knowing