Our authority and our job description.

Scripture Read: 1 Timothy 2:7 For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying) as a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.  

Application: Here we see a very important conviction that we all need to have, The actual specifics may be different, but the principle is the same. Every child of God needs to understand, where their authority comes from and what their call is. Again, as I stated the specifics may be different, for instance I am not called to be the “Apostle to the gentiles”, that was Paul’s call. However, like Paul, you and I are “appointed” by You Lord for certain accomplishments in the world and in the Body of Christ. This is where we discover our authority to minister. What do I mean? When asked, what gives us the right to share our faith or be involved in a particular ministry in the local Body? We need to understand it is You Lord that has called us to these tasks. Everyone that knows You personally has been given a call to go and share that relationship. Not force it on people, not sell it nor be obnoxious about it. We are called to lovingly share what we know about Your love and grace to all we meet. The decision they make with that knowledge is between You and them, we are only to share. If we believe that Your Spirit places us in the Body of Christ and equips us to minister in it, that is the basis of our right to do what You have called us to do, not elections by congregations, or back room church politics. Being accountable to each other does not negate our call. 

We must see ourselves appointed by You so we can have the confidence to stand against the attacks of the enemy. Here we also see that in the end, our call will revolve around two central themes. No matter what we do, we are trying to encourage folks to have greater trust in You and stand on Your truth. Everything else is a side issue. Programs, ministries, you name it, the goal of all we do is to encourage individuals to trust You and accept Your Word. No matter where they are in their relationship with You. For the unbeliever that means believing what the Word teaches about Christ and trusting in Him for salvation. For the child of God that means growing in our trusting belief of what You desire to do in our lives and to grow in the knowledge of Your truth from the Scriptures. When we understand that we do what we do because we represent You, and when we see clearly that our goal is to help all know You more – life is full of purpose and not nearly as complicated as we sometimes make it. Thanks for Your Word Oh Lord!

Meditation Questions: Do you have a ministry in the Body of Christ? If no, why? If yes, does it energize you? What is the difference between a job and a call? Do you see God in all that you do? What does that look like? How often do you consciously realize that what you are doing really matters to God? What does that show? Can you find joy in knowing that God is pleased with what you do, even if no other person let’s you know that?