“But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.” Acts 20:24 KJV

Paul acknowledges this spiritual fact during his farewell message to the Ephesian leaders, yet, not many Christians are mindful that they have received a ministry when they came into Christ.

Of the few who do, not many value this divinely ordained responsibility. Some are only in it because it is convenient for their present life schedule. They have more honor for the roles they occupy in social, economic, and political circles than they do their spiritual functions.

Given the opportunity, they would rather take same or far lesser roles in secular clubs and organizations where they would serve with pride. Nothing wrong with taking opportunities at such places, but it is definitely questionable if it comes at the expense of your service to the Lord.

Are you aware you have already received a ministry when you came into Christ? It is an obvious fact, replete throughout Scriptures. Every child of God is supposed to be in the ministry, actively working to reach souls, win, build, train and send them out to win others.

It is interesting to note that in the New Testament, there is no distinction between the call to salvation and the call to ministry. Salvation was an automatic enlistment to service for the Lord. See Matthew 4:19, Paul Acts 9:1-6, the Madman of Gadara, the Samaritan Woman at the well in John 4.

Everywhere believers went, they preached and served the Lord. They carried the ministry in their hearts. In fact, they were mostly identified by their service to the Lord. They were alert for opportunities to shine the light of Christ wherever they found themselves. To them, ministry was not a location; it was Christ-in-you reaching out and touching others wherever they were.

It is an abnormality, therefore, born out of either ignorance or a lack of spiritual training or backsliding or all—to suppose you can be saved and not actively serve in the ministry. None of us was saved to only receive service. We are rather, even more exhorted to serve than to be served.

If you aren’t already deeply involved regardless of your ‘secular’ job, then you are being neglectful or distracted. The Lord’s word to you is: Take heed to the Ministry; Pay attention to it!

-Ps. Benjamin J.

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