How often I have heard men describe their passion for the ministry by their compassion for sinners! As commendable as a compassion for sinners is, it is no reason to enter the ministry. A good example of this can be seen in the life of Moses. When he tried to "enter the ministry" motivated by his compassion for his countrymen who were suffering, he acted in the flesh, killed a man, alienated his countrymen from himself, and made such a mess of things he had to leave the presence of those he pitied in order to save himself. But when he saw the glory of the Lord in the burning bush, he was then enabled to be a faithful servant (minister) in God's household. Moreover, as he received further revelations of God's glory throughout his life, he became a better minister. This was true also of Isaiah and Paul. The greatest example of this principle is our Lord Jesus Himself. As He prepared to do His greatest "ministerial" work, He prayed that the Father would glorify Him (enable Him to do the work) so that He could GLORIFY THE FATHER (John 17:1). Christ went on to describe His "ministry" on earth as "bringing (the Father) glory on earth" (John 17:4). I would never seek to diminish our sense of compassion on those who are yet under the wrath of God through unbelief. However, if our ministries are based on this compassion, it is likely that we will soon stray away from any truly helpful ministry. Anyone whose chief aim in the ministry is the salvation of sinners will someday depart the very truths which would save the sinners he claims to love. Free-willism and legalism have both been the spawn of such ministries. But, if we fix our concern on the glory of God, if we set our eyes on the accomplishment of that glory by Christ Jesus, and if we fill our mouths with the testimony of God's glory, then will we have shown true compassion to sinners; and more importantly, we will have revealed GOD'S true compassion for sinners!