Vol.
XLII
The
Call for Teachers
by Tom McLemore
"Not many of you should
become teachers, my brothers and sisters, for you know that we who teach will
be judged with greater strictness" (James 3:1).
The church of our Lord needs
teachers. The task of teaching is too
often left to paid workers and a few others. Moses' sentiment in Numbers
11:24-29 expresses an ideal. When the
some of the Israelites prophesied, Joshua urged Moses to forbid them. Moses replied, "Would that all the
Lord's people were prophets, and that the LORD would put his spirit on them!" This wish could be adapted to the need in the
Lord's church: "Would that all
God's people aspired to be teachers."
James 3 may be considered a call for teachers.
Some MUST be teachers. James said, "Not many," rather than
"not any." This is an implicit
call for people to be teachers. Ability
plus opportunity equals responsibility.
The aptitude to teach is a gift (Romans 12:7; 1 Peter 4:10, 11;
Ephesians 4:7-12). Tradition plus
reception equals obligation. 2 Timothy
2:2. Some must not be teachers, for
their motive is wrong (cf. James
3:16--selfish ambition). Ideally, even
they should repent of their wrong motive and seek to be teachers from a
wholesome motive.
The RESPONSIBILITY of being a teacher is
indeed challenging. Teachers, James
urges, shall receive a stricter judgment.
They will be judged more strictly by others. Others will ask concerning the teacher,
"Is the walk according to the talk?"
(cf. James 3:13-18; see also Jas. 2:14-26). They will be judged more strictly by
God. Idle words, false teachers,
twisting the Scriptures will be condemned.
(Matthew 7:15-20; 12:36, 37; 2 Peter 3:15, 16, et. al.). Words have a power for evil (James 3:5-8). These warnings, along with James 3:1, are not
intended to discourage God's people from being teachers, but to encourage God's
people to appreciate the gravity of being a teacher. No one should take this responsibility
lightly, but no one who is knowledgeable and able should refuse to take the
responsibility!
There is great ENCOURAGEMENT for becoming
a teacher provided by James. No one is
perfect. You will not be condemned for mistakes. (This is different than false
teaching, deliberately deceiving, etc.).
You will be condemned if you have the ability and the knowledge and do
not use it.
There is great benefit in pursuing the
goal of greater mastery of words for being a teacher. It naturally leads to greater self-control
(James 3:3, 4). Being a teacher is a
good way to becoming a more capable Christian and a more disciplined
disciple. It will help one overcome
inconsistency and promote consistency
(James 3:9-12).
This works reciprocally. The better teacher you become, the better
parent and personal evangelist you can be; the better parent and personal
evangelist you become, the better teacher you can be. Little wonder, and no coincidence, that
"apt to teach" is a qualification of both elder and evangelist (1 Timothy 3:1-7; 2 Timothy 2:24-26). Words, in addition to having great power for evil, have a tremendous power for good
(James 3:9-12 - fresh water, fruit). God
grants wisdom from above, which makes for being effective as a teacher, and it
is available for the asking (James
1:5-8; 3:13-19).
Are you knowledgeable and capable? Are you making the most of opportunities to
be a teacher? Consider an adaptation of
the parable of the talents to the needs of the church for teachers and the
opportunities and resources provided.
Imagine that Christ gave the ability to
teach to three persons and went back to heaven.
He promised that he would come again and take account of their
stewardship of his gift. When he
returned, the three were brought before him.
The first said, "Lord, I have taught many, but made many
mistakes. I taught them the Scriptures,
and many of them obeyed the teaching."
The Lord replied, "Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter the joys of your Lord."
The second said, "Lord, I taught some, but made some mistakes. I taught them the Scriptures, and some of
them obeyed the teaching." The Lord
answered, "Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter the joys of your Lord."
The third said, "Lord, I knew that
you were going to be hard of those who spoke idle words, spread false teaching,
and twisted the Scriptures. Even though
I studied and understood your words, I was afraid, and I did no teaching. But I am proud to say that I never taught one
thing that was wrong."
The Lord replied, "Yes, it is true
that you never taught one thing that was wrong.
But you never taught one thing that was right. Think of those who never knew, for whom I
gave you the ability for teaching, because you did not teach. You should have recognized that each person
is responsible for one's own knowledge, and you could have taught the best you
could, and given some a chance to learn.
Instead, you kept back my words from them. Depart from me, you wicked and unprofitable
servant, for you have failed in your stewardship. The knowledge of my word that you acquired, but
did not share, is taken away from you."
The call for teachers is being
issued. Will you answer the call?
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