You must understand your calling no matter what title you place before your name (Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor, or Teacher). Paul says, "He chose me to be a servant of Christ Jesus for the Gentiles and to do the work of a priest in the service of his good news. God did this so that the Holy Spirit could make the Gentiles into a holy offering, pleasing to him” (Rom. 15:16, CEV). Were you chosen in the manner of Paul, who was called to be “a slave of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ” (Titus 1:1)? If you answer yes, then you are ready to further your faith and your knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness.
The Holy Spirit equips those chosen to serve the Lord and the gospel ministry. In the parable of the Wedding Feast, Jesus says many are called, but few are chosen. I do not say this to cast doubt on your belief but to motivate you to study and show yourself approved unto God. Too many believe that ministering is a gift reserved for special people. All believers are Ambassadors to Christ; anyone in Christ is reconciled to God and assigned to the Ministry of Reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:15-18). The apostles were sent out to make disciples in all nations. Scripture says, “If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God” (1 Pet. 4:11, NIV). Take up your cross and teach people to obey His commands.
Those who went out were faithful, knowledgeable, and spoke the words of the Lord. We must study and show ourselves approved unto God, but even the well-educated cannot compel godliness. That is why the disciples’ mission, and thus our mission, is to humbly, without malice aforethought, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation” (Mark 16:15, NIV). We do not do justice to the gospel message if we are like Jonah, who did not want to preach the message to the people in Ninevah. Conversely, we cannot be like those who only wanted to hear Apollos or Paul. Humans often separate into groups, failing to realize that all believers are equal in God’s eyes because we are all one in Christ Jesus (Gal. 3:28). When we are chosen, we receive the Holy Ghost's power and become faithful witnesses, willing to speak the oracles of God and the Good News to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8).
Solomon wrote, "Many claims to have unfailing love, but a faithful person who can find” (Prov. 20:6)? Human efforts do not rise to the level of righteousness until we realize “we are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ” (Rom. 2:22, NLT). No matter how great you think you are, God draws people to Christ (John 6:44), not man. Do your job and show enthusiasm for Christ and the Gospel Message.
Minister Nettie Pennington, Associate Minister, Springfield MB Church
