The Priestly Calling

6 – It must not be taken as the heart’s calling if the causes are: aversion to life, disappointment and antipathy for all things that earlier delighted. This state of mind and fervor are clearly fleeting. Disillusionment about one thing cannot serve as a sign of calling for something else. L. Blue had put it exceptionally well when he stated: “There is one romantic foolishness, the thought that antipathy, aversion to life is a sign of a religious calling.” God requires not an exhausted soul, nor a disenchanted and weakened spirit, but a heart full of enthusiasm, heroism, sacrifice, constructive impulses in the very holy service of the building of the Body of Christ.

Here, then, are signs that a person has been called, or, according to the words of the Apostle, has a taste for pastoral service:

1 – First of all, there ought to be a free inclination to the great and holy priestly service.

2 – A desire to create the Kingdom of God, the Body of Christ, rather than an earthly realm, its undertone notwithstanding.

3 – Readiness for sacrificial service to one’s neighbors and a perception of pastoral service as a yoke of Christ.

4 – Readiness to exhibit compassion for the sinful and the sick, the sorrowful man.

5 – Readiness for persecution at the hands of the world and its principalities, a fearless denial of all conformity to the world.

6 – Consciousness of one’s unworthiness and a striving for a Christ-like humility, rather than denunciation, condemnation and disparagement of non-conformists.

7 – To experience faith, live a scriptural life, and submit oneself to the worshipful service of God. (pp. 43ff)

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