It is very disheartening to see many Christians living in perpetual disgrace and fear due to ignorance; lack of understanding their role of God’s purpose for their lives. The believer’s purpose is simply the practice of the life style of the Christ. Anything outside of this in Christianity is only religion. And many Christians still think that the Messiah came to introduce a religion, and that is why every activity in the church is considered as God’s service. This is a wrong concept of the Christian life and ministry.
If the believers must become like Jesus in everything they practice, then it is necessary to understand His ministry. “And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.” (Mt 1:21) The Hebrew meaning of JESUS is savior. Therefore, the focus of the ministry of our Lord Jesus is to save us from our sins. Well, as believers, we must already know the necessity for our salvation; and also pass it to others!
As soon as we are saved, we are then called to discipleship. “…If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed…” (Jn 8:30) It is expected that every believer must hold on to faith in God through Christ Jesus. Our faith continuity implies a serious duty to carry out in obedience the teachings of our Master; hence accepting the task of becoming His disciples uninterruptedly.
We must deal with a problem that had kept many Christians redundant, lukewarm or entirely idle. This is the mentality of thinking that strict Christ-likeness; the very ministry of Jesus; preaching, teaching, healing the sick, and so on is left to the ministers only.
This is never the way the Lord intended it to be carried out. “Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.” (1Cor 12:27). As members of the body of Christ, none of us should be exempted in this wonderful stewardship privilege. “And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.” (1Cor 12:28)
What are all these responsibilities about? “Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.” (1Cor 14:12). Edifying the church is all about advancing God’s Kingdom and His righteousness here on earth.
And this task hangs around every believer’s neck! We recall a typical example of how Jesus delegated the first disciples the preaching assignment in Matthew 10. “And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.” (verses 7,8). These were not ‘ordained’ men of God. They were simply followers of Jesus; obedient to His invitation to abide by His teachings.
This is also what is expected of all Christians. If the church would embrace our Lord’s approach to the ministry, many Christians would not be idle; playing draft, ‘ludo,’ and other games all day long; only to remain benchwarmers as ‘Sunday-Sunday club members!’
What is then the role of church leadership? This is still relevant; it is of great importance. The shepherds should simply emulate the same Master Jesus. He taught us to lead the flock as good stewards. (Jn 10:11-16; Jn 21:17; Ac 20:28; 1Pe 5:2). Leading and feeding the flock truly implies getting the congregations to learn to be active in God’s Kingdom enforcement; ensuring that no member of the body is wasting away; not giving the enemy a single moment to entice them into unprofitable labor which will end up in vain glory!
Finally, the believers must therefore attain the level of having definite assurance of their salvation, and also maintain the standard of the Christian testimony of serving God; winning souls and making disciples of others; wherever they find themselves, the example of Jesus should remain the focus! Until it is done this way, escaping the danger of hell fire would be impossible. And we know that this is the very purpose of Christ’s coming into world; so that we do not perish but have eternal life. (Jn 3:15-21)
