“But rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of the things which you have seen and of the things which I will yet reveal to you. “(Acts 26:16)
This is what was said to Paul when he was arrested by the Lord Jesus on his way to persecute the believers in Damascus. Before now, Paul’s life was victimized by his traditional Jewish background; he thought he was truly serving God.
But after the encounter with the Lord Jesus the story suddenly changed. His ministry became distinct because he sought to do the will of the Lord throughout his calling. When he was consecrated and set apart for God, he was on his own, but the One that called him never forsook him. So he did not lean on some one’s already-made ministry.
“...nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went to Arabia, and returned again to Damascus. “(Gal. 1:17).
He was there for three years. Then he went to Peter in Jerusalem, but stayed with him for fifteen days only.
If we must make giant strides in ministry, even greater than Paul. one of the greatest apostle in history, (for with God nothing is virtually impossible) we must discover the mystery of seclusion and self imprisonment; denying ourselves of all manner of associations with men; keeping away from all popular activities or events that attract ordinary minds, becoming odd among peers. humbling oneself in fervent prayer and fasting.... until true identity and association is found with God.
Great Bible achievers, ranging from Noah, Moses, Elijah, Elisha, Hannah, David, Joseph, Daniel, Jeremiah, John the Baptist, Mary to Jesus and the apostles etc, were men and women who disregarded and despised manmade connections; but stood strictly committed their lives to God Almighty and by His Spirit’s anointing, excelled in ministry.
Our case in life and ministry is no exception. Putting so much confidence in men had caused many men and women. God’s own creation to slip off the path of purposeful living and made a shipwreck of the ministry of Christ in the Christian.
The One who saves; calls and ordains us into genuine ministry is God Himself through Christ Jesus by the power of the Holy Ghost. Why should we justify an ungodly approach of ministry orientations to Gods set standards’ May our faith never fail, as we seek to embrace the only alternative to active and effective Christ-like lifestyle and ministry by the power of the Holy Spirit’s anointing. AMEN!
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