George A. Rice
The prevalent conception of effectiveness in Christian service lays more emphasis upon, and draws more attention to, the man
himself than to his Lord. When it is suggested that so-and-so is an
effective man, the mental impression registered is usually that the
person in question has definite capabilities, that his is a strong,
forceful presentation of biblical truth, that he can “get things
across”, that he is a man who has had considerable experience in
Christian work and thus is well acquainted with the usual ins and outs
of things, be it in the ordinary run of church life or in what is known
as the “evangelistic field”.
TRAINING
On
the other hand, according to so many, an extensive period of academic
and theological training is indispensable to effectiveness, thus
putting as man’s basic requirement his mental acumen. In other words,
actual results or success in the Lord’s work are due to a certain
convincing of people by well thought-out, conclusive argument. Hence
the importance placed on psychology, logic, rhetoric, etc., in so many
training centers of to-day.
Let it be said here, however, that in no
way would we depreciate study and the acquirement of any knowledge that
can be of use in the Lord’s work. Surely every true servant of the Lord
would feel his need of incessant study in order to be able to rightly
serve both his Lord and those to whom he is sent. But is not the object
of a great many of those who enter centers of training rather that of
eventually filling a pulpit and preaching acceptable sermons, as well
as being generally efficient in the discharge of the regular duties of
church life? That is to say, their uppermost thought is that of
receiving training that will make them capable of undertaking certain
Christian service. Unhappily this is the viewpoint of many of those who
are responsible for the teaching in such centers — a viewpoint that the
average student would soon imbibe, that is if he had not fallen victim
to it previously.
MAN EXALTED
Such an outlook is certainly not spiritual. Man is subtly exalted, and is himself made to be the source, the sine qua non, of effectiveness; and when man is exalted there can be carnal effectiveness, but not spiritual effectiveness. Man
apart from the Lord is “flesh”, be what it may the extent of his mental
preparation and practical experience; and the divine verdict with
respect to “flesh” is that it “profits nothing” (John 6:63). The “flesh” can never be trained for God’s service; it can never be made spiritually effective. Just as “that which is born of the flesh is (for ever) flesh”, and “cannot inherit the kingdom of God”,
in like manner this same nature of ours cannot function in the
spiritual sphere. There can be no effectiveness, no eternal result,
from that which has its birth in man.
FROM THE NATURAL TO THE SPIRITUAL
Let us look into the subject more closely. Paul says, “1 was made a minister” (i.e., a “servant”) — he did not “take up” the ministry, he was called to it — “according to the gift of the grace of God given to me by the effective working of his power” (Eph. 3:7). There had been a mighty divine inworking
that had reached every part of the apostle’s being, and that had broken
down entirely the Saul of Tarsus “regime”. That this was simultaneous
with the vision of the Lord Jesus Christ that was granted him is
without doubt. In a flash, as he saw Christ, he also saw himself. More
than this, he says, “It pleased the Father to reveal his Son in me that 1 might preach him among the Gentiles” (Gal. 1:15-17).
Saul the Pharisee saw in the Risen Son of God the One who had to
replace entirely this Saul of Tarsus. After such a visitation from the
Lord, Saul - later Paul - who, according to human judgment, could well
have trusted in the flesh, never again saw in himself any “good thing”.
We arrive at this conclusion that the
first step in our preparation for an effective “ministry”, whatever our
calling, is a complete undoing of all that we are in the natural – only
then can there be a drawing on the new Source. “I have been crucified... Christ lives in me” (Gal. 2:20). Following the experience of this breaking-down before the Lord, spiritual effectiveness is gloriously possible!
WHAT IS SPIRITUAL EFFECTIVENESS?
Let Scripture answer. It is said of the apostles that, after Pentecost, “they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them”
(Mark 16:20). As they announced the Word under the guidance of, and in
full dependence on, the Holy Spirit, the Lord was able to work, and to
accomplish his purposes. What amazing results there were in those days!
Paul likewise ever counted himself as one who labored with his Lord.
Let us remind ourselves of but one of his expressions in this respect: “I also labor, striving according to his working, which works in me mightily”
(Col. 1:29). Might we not deduct from these and many other similar
passages (viz. 2 Co. 1:9; 6:4-10; 10:3-6; 12:9-10; 13:4; Eph. 3:20;
Phil. 4:13; see also Jas. 5:16) that spiritual effectiveness is simply:
“his working... in me”?
Again, our Lord has returned to his
Father in order to “fulfill all things”. He has called out a “body” of
many members, and given them spiritual gifts in order that, through his
Spirit, cooperation with him may be realized. Our Lord, as Son of Man,
had lived in full dependence on his Father: “I live by the Father”... (John 6:57). “My Father does the works” (John 14:10). Now, as the risen and glorified Christ, operating in us by his Spirit, He tells as of old, that we are to live by him: “for without me you can do nothing!” (John 15:5).
HIS PURPOSE
Finally — what purpose is our Lord
fulfilling in the earth? He is raising up and perfecting a Testimony to
Himself: an “executive body” — composed of all those who have been made
“new” in all their being and action — that shall cooperate spiritually
with him, being subject to him, as Head, in all things – a body that is
an instrument for the establishment of his victory, and the manifestation of his glory, now and in eternity.
Are we with the Lord in this; is this our passion? If not, there
will be a serious weakening of our effectiveness, since the end in view
must affect our present action. A true, practical oneness with our Lord
on resurrection ground, in all that that involves, must have, and alone can have as its outcome, continuous effective ministry.
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