We are passing through a period which is delineated in Scripture as “perilous times” of “the last days,” and for which special instruction is needed. The rocks and shoals, with which the troubled waters of our time abound, are all divinely marked out for us in 2 Timothy, a book which faith recognizes as its special chart in days like these. The fullness and explicit nature of that revelation is most blessed, with the most full and minute directions as to how the saints are to carry themselves. Thus, while there is much failure around and confusion and evil are on the increase, the resources and provisional care of God are unfolded with a divine precision and accuracy found only in the Word of God.
The servant of the Lord stands in need of peculiar qualities at all times, but especially in these last days, as we are surrounded by a double fallacy. On the one hand, men are taking upon themselves, without divine authority, to make others servants, thereby constituting them servants of men instead of ministers of God. On the other hand, others fall into another delusion, in supposing that everyone who is a saint is by this fact a gifted servant or minister of Jesus Christ.
Surely, if saints are walking with God, He will give them something to do for Him, and in this sense all saints are servants of the Lord. However, this in no wise sets aside the fact that Christ, ascended on high into glory, gave distinct and special gifts to His church, enumerated in Ephesians 4: “He has given some apostles, and some prophets, and some evangelists, and some shepherds and teachers, for the perfecting of the saints; with a view to the work of the ministry, with a view to the edifying of the body of Christ” (Eph. 4:11-1211And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: (Ephesians 4:11‑12) JND).
The Perfect Pattern
The nature of the day always indicates the needed graces, so that after the Spirit of God had foretold the storm that was then raging and would rage with greater fury after the Apostle’s departure, He also specifies in detail certain qualities which would be indispensable in the servant of the Lord under such conditions. What God is looking for in these last times is a servant in his measure after the pattern of His own Son. Hence, the qualities, or graces, by which the servant of the Lord is to be characterized, according to 2 Timothy 2, are those which shone in perfection in Him who was the perfect Servant.
First of all, he must have unhesitating courage and faithfulness — to be “strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.” Also he was to “endure hardness,” and not to “entangle himself with the affairs of this life.” On the one hand, he was to accept the path through the storm; on the other hand, he was to avoid everything of the nature of entanglement. We have these three things expected from the servant of the Lord and the minister of Jesus Christ. In addition, “If a man strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.” That is, he cannot obtain the prize unless he complies with the regulations. He was also to be as the husbandman, “laboring first,” that he might have the first claim to the profits of the produce of his farm. Then the first part of the exhortation is closed by that magnificent eighth verse: “Remember Jesus Christ raised from among the dead, of the seed of David, according to my glad tidings” (2 Tim. 2:8 JND). As the reward of faithful service for our blessed Master had to wait until resurrection, so we must not expect recognition down here; it may have to wait until “that day.”
The Manner and Spirit
But it is not enough to be faithful in dealing with souls; the manner and spirit of our service surely has its place. No doubt, in days of declension, the true servant must pass through many a sore exercise respecting those whom he seeks to serve. However, if a right spirit is in him, he would be found leading and instructing, instead of coercing and driving. There are too many instances of hearts broken amid the corruptions of the age, grieved and stumbled by the ungracious and unwise methods adopted towards them. The shepherd and the nurse are the similarities employed by the Holy Spirit, when he would set forth the manner of a servant’s fulfillment of his work. “Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof.” Also, “The servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves” (2 Tim. 2:24-25).
The Lord make His beloved saints and servants more wise, more gracious, more patient in all things, more self-denying and devoted, more uncompromising and whole-hearted in these last evil days.
W. T. Turpin, adapted