Deeper Life #335

We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth.

—2 Thessalonians 1:3

I WANT TO OFFER A WORD of criticism about the choosing of Sunday school teachers. The way we are apt to choose Sunday school teachers is this: A person gets introduced into the kingdom of God and immediately we put that one into a Sunday school class to teach.

When a soul enters into the kingdom of God, that person must grow in obedience until he is consolidated in the ways of God. Why is this necessary? Because dealing with souls is tenfold more dangerous than dealing with bodies. Unless you are in a healthy, vigorous condition with God, you will catch the disease of the soul you are dealing with, instead of helping to cure it. Unless you know how to walk through that Bible, inhale the air of God’s truth, and get thoroughly robust, you are sure to catch the disease of the souls with whom you are dealing.

New Christians need time to grow before they are placed in positions of leadership.

Prayer Thought: Lord, as I deal with sinsick souls, insulate me from their disease. Enable me to be spiritually healthy so that I can help them find the Great Physician.

SUGGESTED READING: 1 Thessalonians 1