Balancing Christ's Character with Human Limitations in Ministry
Christian ministry, as understood in various traditions, involves individuals serving as "ministers of Christ" and "stewards of the mysteries of God" [3]. This role requires balancing the high calling to embody Christ's character with the inherent limitations of human nature.
The character of Christ, which ministers are called to reflect, is multifaceted. As Mediator, Christ fulfills the roles of prophet, priest, and king [1]. His priestly office includes offering himself as a sacrifice and continually interceding for believers in heaven [4]. As King, Christ is the sovereign Head of the Church and over all things for the Church [1]. He also served as a minister during his earthly life, particularly to the circumcision (the Jews), demonstrating a life of service rather than being served [9]. The ultimate goal of ministry is to bring the entire Christian community to a deeper understanding and experience of faith, leading to maturity "to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ" [5]. This transformation aims to make believers fully like Christ through the Spirit's work [5].
However, ministers are human and possess limitations. The ability to minister is considered a divine gift, not merely natural talent, acquired knowledge, or even saving grace alone [6]. It is Christ himself who calls and qualifies individuals for ministry [8]. The apostle Paul, for instance, saw himself as a minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, a role he was given by grace [2, 11]. While Christ's kingship involves exercising authority, this is distinct from the exercise of power among his apostles, where an "entire equality" existed [10]. Ministers are not to make themselves ministers, as it is Christ's work to appoint them [8].
Therefore, while ministers strive to exemplify Christ's perfect character and fulfill his offices in their service, they do so as divinely appointed and gifted, yet human, instruments. The focus remains on Christ as the ultimate High Priest and Head of the Church, whose sufficiency undergirds all ministry [7].
Sources
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Kingly office of Christ — One of the three special relations in which Christ stands to his people. Christ's office as mediator comprehends three different functions, viz., those of a prophet, priest, and king. These are not three distinct offices, but three functions of the one office of mediator. Christ is King and sovereign Head over his Church and over all things to his Church (Eph. 1:22; 4:15; Col. 1:18; 2:19). He executes this mediatorial kingship in his Church, and over his Church, and over all things in behalf of his Church. This royalty differs from that whic”
- Romans “Romans 15:16 (Tyndale) — that I shuld be the minister of Iesu Christ amonge the gentyls and shuld minister the gladde tydynges of God that the gentyls myght be an acceptable offerynge sanctyfied by the holy goost.”
- I Corinthians “I Corinthians 4:1 (LITV) — Let a man think of us as ministers of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Intercession of Christ — Christ's priestly office consists of these two parts, (1) the offering up of himself as a sacrifice, and (2) making continual intercession for us. When on earth he made intercession for his people (Luke 23:34; John 17:20; Heb. 5:7); but now he exercises this function of his priesthood in heaven, where he is said to appear in the presence of God for us (Heb. 9:12, 24). His advocacy with the Father for his people rests on the basis of his own all-perfect sacrifice. Thus he pleads for and obtains the fulfilment of all the promises of the everlas”
- Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 4:13: 4:13 The goal of ministry is for the whole Christian community to understand and experience the Christian faith more deeply and gain a deeper knowledge of God’s Son. In this way, believers will be mature in the Lord (see 1 Cor 2:6; 14:20; Phil 3:15; Col 1:28; 4:12; cp. Heb 5:14; Jas 1:4; 3:2). The standard of maturity is Christ himself; the Spirit’s transforming work is to make people fully like Christ (Rom 8:29).”
- 1 Timothy (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Timothy 4:13: Neglect not the gift that is in thee,.... What qualifies men for the work of the ministry is a gift from God: it is not of nature, nor is it mere natural abilities and capacity; nor is it any thing acquired, it is not human learning, or the knowledge of languages, arts, and sciences; nor is it special saving grace; for a man may have all these, and yet not be apt to teach, or fit for the ministry; but it is a peculiar and distinct gift, it is a gift of interpreting the Scriptures, and of dispensing the mysteries of grace to the edification of others; which, when it”
- Hebrews (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Hebrews 8:1: Here is, I. A summary recital of what had been said before concerning the excellency of Christ's priesthood, showing what we have in Christ, where he now resides, and what sanctuary he is the minister of, Heb 8:1, Heb 8:2. Observe, 1. What we have in Christ; we have a high priest, and such a high priest as no other people ever had, no age of the world, or of the church, ever produced; all others were but types and shadows of this high priest. He is adequately fitted and absolutely sufficient to all the intents and purposes of a high priest, both with respect to th”
- 1 Timothy (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 1 Timothy 1:12: Here the apostle, I. Returns thanks to Jesus Christ for putting him into the ministry. Observe, 1. It is Christ's work to put men into the ministry, Act 26:16, Act 26:17. God condemned the false prophets among the Jews in these words, I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran: I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied, Jer 23:21. Ministers, properly speaking, cannot make themselves ministers; for it is Christ's work, as king and head, prophet and teacher, of his church. 2. Those whom he puts into the ministry he fits for it; whom he calls he qualifies. ”
- Romans (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Romans 15:7: Now I say,.... Or affirm that Christ has received both Jews and Gentiles: that he has received the Jews, and therefore they are not to be despised, though they are weak, appears from hence, that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision; he is rightly called a minister, for this was the end of his coming into the world, and the whole of his work in it was not to be ministered unto, but to minister to others, Mat 20:28, both in life and at death. This character agrees with him in all his offices; as King he ministers judgment to the people; and as priest he is ”
- Matthew (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Matthew 20:25: But it shall not be so among you,.... This is not to be extended to Christian nations, as if there were to be no order of magistracy subsisting in them; but that all must be on a level, and no distinction of princes and subjects, of governors and governed; nor to Christian churches, as if there was no ecclesiastical authority to be used, or any church government and power to be exercised; none to rule, whom others are to obey and submit themselves to; but is to be restrained to the apostles as such, among whom there was an entire equality; being all apostles of Chri”
- Romans (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Romans 15:15: That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ,.... The office of apostleship is here amplified and enlarged on, and the ends shown for which that grace was given to him, that he should be a minister; not in holy things about the temple, as the priests and Levites were; or a teacher of the law, some were fond of; but a minister of Christ, one that was made so by him, was qualified and sent forth to minister in his name to men; and who was a preacher of him; Jesus Christ, and him crucified, was the grand subject of his ministrations; he adds, to the Gentiles; for to ”