DANGER OF PROFESSIONALISM

Having a form of religion without its reality

I wonder whether there is a term called “professional ministers”. These people have gone for theological education so that they can become ministers. Certainly nothing is amiss for people to equip themselves before serving God.

But what sets them apart from other ministers is that they do not have a definite calling. To them, it is just another way of earning a living – just as others go for tertiary studies to become doctors, lawyers or engineers.

When it comes to religious acts and rituals, these professional ministers excel. But they do not have a relationship with God¹. Nor do they seek His strength to carry out their duties². In effect, they are embracing a form of religion without availing themselves of the power to be godly (2 Timothy 3:5).

These are the ones who have the propensity to turn the church into a place for “religious games” and entertainment – intertwined with their lust for power and money.

God does not honour their slick performance on the day of judgment:

 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!” (Matthew 7:21-23).

 Let us beware during these end times: “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.  By their fruit you will recognise them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?” (Matthew 7:15-16).

Footnotes:

1.    “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me” (John 15:4).

2.    “Blessed is the man whose strength is in You,
Whose heart is set on pilgrimage” (Psalm 84:5).