The process of ministry receives from God and distributes or delivers to people so that people can in turn reconcile and relate with God on a personal level in communication and in conformity to His image.
The minister of God is sent with the word, every other gift is to support the ministry of the word. The ministry of the word is to inspire faith by declaring to the world, the love of God, the will of God, the grace of God in His omnipotence and wisdom and the eternal faithfulness of God to those who believe.
[My Offline Bible] Romans 10
12. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.
13. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
14. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
15. And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
In declaring these things which we call the pillars of faith in God, faith arises in the hearts of men towards God.
We have so many things we can preach and teach but whatever we teach and preach should inspire faith in God, powerful enough to trigger a good relationship between the believer and God.
And not just what we preach and teach but what we do also. A minister ought to know that we are the primary confirmation of the word we preach. Acting contrary to the word we preach is as if saying those words are not true. If we believe what we preach, we will live accordingly, if we don't believe what we preach, we would not live accordingly, we will only live according to the word we believe.
Ministry is beyond the pulpit. Ministry is a life calling that inspires people to trust in the Lord through the words and the deeds of those who preach and teach His word.
Everything that a man of God goes through is designed to help project certain aspect of God, and in responding by the word of God and by His Spirit, people learn what to do when they fall into such situations themselves.
[My Offline Bible] Hebrews 13
7. Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.
English Standard Version puts it this way...
Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.
It's very simple really, before a minister's faith would be imitated as designed by God, the way of life and its spiritual outcomes would first be considered.
A lifestyle contrary to God's word would hardly inspire faith, rather it'll harm the efforts of preaching the word of God.
We should not even try using the testimonies of out wealth and wellbeing as cover for an unhealthy spiritual life. Our faith is validated not by what we possess but by what we truly believe and practice. Or how do I know where or how you got your money, what if you deal drugs because of your lack of faith in God's providence?
A minister of God living a life of infidelity and corruption doesn't have faith in God. If he does, he should know that sin grieves God even if He forgives sin. But someone who doesn't even believe in God would care less if He is grieved. Such people's faith should not be followed, for it is shallow.
We need keep this in mind as ministers of God and we'll do well. May we inspire faith by everything we do.
Good Morning. May His grace abound with each of us in Jesus name. Amen
Photo credit/ Jens Johnsson
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