I ran across a portion of John Wesley’s ordination covenant in a commentary this morning. I thought I would share it with you.
The presiding official would state:
“Thus taking of His yoke upon us means that we are heartily content that He appoint us our place and work, and that He alone be our reward. Christ has many services to be done: some are easy, others are difficult; some bring honour, others bring reproach; some are suitable to our natural inclinations and temporal interests, others are contrary to both. In some we may please Christ and please ourselves, in others we cannot please Christ except by denying ourselves. Yet the power to do all these things is assuredly given us in Christ, who strengtheneth us.”
The minister would respond:
“I am no longer my own, but Thine. Put me to what Thou wilt, rank me with whom Thou wilt; put me to doing, put me to suffering; let me be employed for Thee or laid aside for Thee, exalted for Thee, or brought low for Thee; let me be full; let me be empty; let me have all things; let me have nothing; I freely and heartily yield all things to Thy pleasure and disposal.”
Reading this challenges me to remember that a minister of the gospel is and always will be a “servant” of the gospel.
