Week 35 — TUESDAY

We now begin in Philippians: “To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons” (Phil. 1:1). Taken literally, this verse has embarrassing implications—the bishops and the deacons were classed separately from the saints! Is this an unintentional slip, or was there a basis for this division into saints, bishops, and deacons? There was and is a basis of fact that those who are put in professional position over others are handicapped in the business of being a saint. The position influences the person. I signed an autograph album after a bishop, and I noted that he had signed his name followed by “Bp.” and then followed by “Bishop,” spelled out. He apparently wanted to be sure that everybody would know that “Bp.” meant “Bishop” and “Bishop” meant something of importance! To be self-consciously self-important is a handicap in being a saint.

I was being interpreted into the Tamil language and I said, “To be an evangelist and a Christian is difficult.” Then since there were missionaries there I continued, “Yes, and to be a missionary and a Christian is difficult.” Since there was a bishop there I turned and said, “Yes, and I suppose to be a bishop and a Christian is difficult.” My interpreter put it, “To be an evangelist and a Christian is difficult, but to be a missionary or a bishop and a Christian is impossible!” The bishop arose and bowed gravely! To be any professionally religious person and a Christian is difficult. The marginal reading for “bishop” is “overseer.” When one is an “overseer”—one who oversees the work of others—it is not easy for him to be a seer—a prophet, or one who sees and tells what he sees. He gives reports from his overseeing the work of others, but he doesn’t report what he sees directly and immediately. There are exceptions of course. Some become saints in spite of being bishops—seldom on account of! Saints are grown in simpler soil.

O Jesus, save me from professionalism, from the smooth phrase and the slick word. Make me real—real in motive, word, and deed. Give me the humble heart and the receptive faith. Then I shall live by Your simplicities. Amen.

AFFIRMATION FOR THE DAY: Let all my professionalism be shot through and through with personal simplicity.