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We are apt to limit the cause of uncleanness of the servants of the Lord to contact with
others, but there is at least one aspect where uncleanness arises from the servant himself.
In the verse we quote the word "pure" is often translated "clean", and it has that meaning
here:--
"Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men, for
I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God" (Acts 20: 26, 27).
It is evident by the presence of the word "for" that any teacher who does withhold
truth from those under his charge is not clean in the sight of God.
The symbol of this phase of service is a watchman, as set forth in Ezek. 33: 1-6,
where it is enunciated that if a watchman give not warning and any die by the sword,
"His blood will I require at the watchman's hand".
The third symbol of service in this group is committal. Let us note how the apostle
speaks of this to Timothy in his two epistles:--
"The glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust" (I Tim. 1: 11).
"O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust" (I Tim. 6: 20).
"I know Whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which
was committed unto Him against that day . . . . . That good thing which was committed
unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us" (II Tim. 1: 12-14).
"The things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou
to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also" (II Tim. 2: 2).
Something has been committed to our trust. This we must guard as life itself.
Nothing, however attractive, however apparently good or useful, can ever warrant the
slightest departure from faithful stewardship.
All true service necessitates a call, demands cleanness, and is a glorious committal.