Hi everyone. As we begin the week let us
turn our thoughts again to the book of Galatians to view some more of the
beauty of God’s grace.
“But
contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed
unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter; (For he that wrought effectually in Peter to
the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the
Gentiles:) And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars,
perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the
right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto
the circumcision” Galatians 2:7-9 KJV
These verses give an indication to the key
ingredient of successful ministry-God at work. God was at work in Peter’s
ministry and He was at work in Paul’s ministry also. Paul a minister recognized
this. He knew it was God at work. He spoke of this great working in some other letters.
Paul probably had a lot he could have depended on for
his success-he had a first class Jewish education, studied under one of the
most respected Rabbis of his time, came from the purest of lineages and had
exhibited remarkable zeal and keenness in his early years in life. But he knew there was something more
important than all those. There was something more paramount and of much greater significance
that was producing the impact everyone could see. In Paul's words, it was about God's effectual working in his life.
It is really so different in our times.
People depend on their oratory, voice inflections, theatrical displays,
gimmicks, clever inventions and sharp business practices to make headway in the
ministry of our great Lord and Savior. We must return to the “ancient paths” of
depending on the working of God which as Apostle Paul described in another
verse as “working mightily”1. Enough of dependence on human
fabrications! We neglect God and madly rush after things that deceive us with
an external garb of outstanding success.
Personally as a preacher, I certainly would
like to improve my preaching. In fact, I am constantly learning to be a
better preacher but above that, I recognize that God's grace is working within
me. God is at work in this ministry. I might not have the power of oratory that
other people may have but God is able in His grace to reach and touch people by
His power and not my own ability. Would every minister, preacher, deacon,
bishop, primate, evangelist, teacher, reverend, prophet realize this important
principle? It is God at work and not man. That is the heart of the matter.
The application of this principle is not
limited only to ordained ministers of the gospel. There is an inner working of
the power of God in every of His children. In 1st Corinthians 15: 10,
Paul describes that dynamic inner working as grace. So you see grace isn’t just
about how God has freed us from our past as we had seen earlier in the series
but also about God’s empowerment for life. There is a dynamic inner working of
God's grace in every believer empowering us for the tasks He has called us to
accomplish. Look within folks. “We have this treasure in earthen vessels…”2,
“…for God is at work in you…”3 His grace is at work within us and we need to learn to depend on this.
I will end at this point and we’ll continue
next week to view more snapshots of God’s overwhelming grace.
Notes
1. Colossians 1:29
2. 2nd Corinthians 4:7
3. Philippians 2:13
Gloory!
ReplyDeleteMoses just flashed through my mind, the point when he was telling God about his speech impediment. Have to meditate on this too. Thanks
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