[aesop_quote type=”pull” background=”#ffffff” text=”#400040″ width=”content” align=”center” size=”2″ quote=”Local and international missionary work can only be done properly when every Christian considers that the sole purpose of his existence on earth is to work for the kingdom of God.” cite=”Andrew Murray” parallax=”on” direction=”right”]
Indeed, serving is intrinsic to the kingdom of God. According to Titus 2:14, if Jesus came to give himself, it was to save us, and to constitute himself a people who belong to God and who zealously accomplish good worksGod has work to do on earth, and His people are responsible for living exclusively in service to His work. This may seem strange to many, but it is nonetheless true. Moreover, He has informed us in advance that a day will come when He will conduct a thorough analysis of our works.
Thus, God's Word warns us about how to serve. Some will have their works destroyed because they are of little value—hay, stubble; for others it will be a reward because their works are comparable to precious stones, gold, and silver. We don't need to wait until the end to know; we can already make the necessary adjustments so that our works are of great value.
[aesop_quote type=”block” background=”#282828″ text=”#ffffff” width=”100%” align=”center” size=”4″ quote=”God has provided for this.” parallax=”on” direction=”left”]
God has provided for this. In one of the most well-known passages of Scripture, we are told (Ephesians 4:11-16) that God has given to the church apostles, prophets, evangelists, and pastors and teachers so that God's children may be trained, or as the New International Version puts it, 'fitted for service,' for the building up of the church. That is what it says. Everyone must now do what is necessary to be fitted for service. This means that being born again, loving Jesus, does not mean that we have become fit for service or that our service is pleasing to God. Training is required for us to be equipped.
What is it about? It is about
- Teaching the Word of God; bringing God's people to maturity in understanding the truth and principles of God's kingdom.
- Support them to bring a practical application of these principles into their lives
- Character transformation, through training and correction
- The communication of grace through the power of the Holy Spirit
- The spiritual cover
- Opportunities for service. Visionary spiritual leaders create space and structure for the use of each individual's abilities.
So every servant of the kingdom must regard his spiritual leaders as a gift from God for him that enable him to be equipped to offer valuable service to God. He will understand the need to voluntarily choose to submit to a spiritual authority in order to be thus prepared.
[aesop_image imgwidth=”100%” img=”https://oliviaogedcoma55e7.zapwp.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/presents-153926_1280.png” alt=”ministry gifts” align=”center” lightbox=”off” caption=”He gave gifts unto men.” captionposition=”left”]
A conscious and voluntary submission to authority
One of the most important decisions in the life of a child of God in his or her service to God, and therefore in his or her entire life, is to voluntarily choose to place oneself under the authority of spiritual leaders who will not only impart spiritual principles but who will also provide direction, correction, and discipline. For quality works of service, it is essential to be teachable, to have a spirit of humility, and to recognize the need for character transformation. The Christian, as a soldier, must understand that training is sometimes arduous, but nevertheless essential.
Just as a soldier sees his officer as the one who imposes a regimen that would allow him to survive and win on the battlefield, the Christian must see his pastor and leaders as coaches who enable him to increase his spiritual capacity and develop the traction necessary to resist the forces of darkness and win the race of life by serving God as he should. It is therefore incumbent upon us to seek and accept correction, instruction, and direction.
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Certainly, we all have the Spirit of God, but we do not always do what is necessary to be led by Him. And it is clear that leaders filled with the Holy Spirit often see further and more deeply than we do. They are able to see what is blocking us and preventing us from reaching our desired goal. They are also able to slow us down when we are going too fast or to push us when laziness risks costing us dearly. It is up to us to place ourselves under the obligation of listening to them of our own free will.
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And it's not always easy in our era because of the multiplicity of spiritual offerings, even within the church. We can easily go astray and miss our destiny when we disconnect from the grace under which God has placed us because we are offered a certain ease elsewhere. Such ease not only sets us up for mediocrity in life but also for shame on the day of judgment. But I believe better things about you.
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