Bethlen Évkönyv, 1993-1996 (Ligonier)
Dr. Eva M. Fabian: Qualifications, conflicts, compensations
Similarly, through the anticipation of God’s rewards, the Holy Spirit provides us an explosive power to boost our endurance under pressure and suffering. We worship a Lord Whose promises are not pies in the sky, He is a gentleman and keeps all of them. His Word is abounding with promises of compensations and rewards for His faithful servants. In 1 Peter 5:5 the Lord promises that if someone tends His flock faithfully, “when the chief shepherd appears, you will win the crown of glory that never fades away. ” In Matthew 25:21 we read about the most glorious compensation any servant of the Lord can dream about, “Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over the little, I will set you over much, enter into the joy of your master. ” Even here and now, we have Christ’s promise, “Whoever serves me, the Father will honor. ” (John 12:26.) When we elders get tired, frustrated, tempted to throw the towel in, we should recall that we Eire on the Father’s honor roll. Surprisingly, sometimes, we may even receive the earthly compensation of love, respect, trust, gratitude, and friendship from the members of our congregation, our fellow elders, and most of all from our pastor. (All Scripture quotations are taken from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible.) JÉZUS PANASZA „Ti Mesternek hívtok — és nem kérdeztek engem. Útnak neveztek — és nem jártok rajtam... Világosságnak hívtok — és nem néztek rám... Életnek neveztek — és nem kerestek engem... Bölcsnek hívtok — és nem követtek engem... Hatalmasnak neveztek — és nem kértek engem... Irgalmasnak hívtok — és nem bíztok bennem... Igazságosnak neveztek — és nem féltek tőlem... ...Ha egyszer örökre elvesztek — ne okozzatok engem!" (A lübecki Krisztus-szobor felirata) 145
