Grace and mercy to you from our Lord, Jesus Christ! You are welcome again to the column of our “Daily word for spiritual strength!” Last time we read from 2nd Corinthians 4:1-5 as our foundational passage and we discovered one of the principles that help us to understand how to make our light brighter God. We discovered that every one of us already have a ministry as soon as we accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord. Our chief ministry is to represent God to this world and to reveal Him to others around us. Our ministry is to live the way Jesus lived and do the deeds Jesus did while living on Earth. It was by the virtue of His life style that Jesus had free access to God’s power. He needed the power of God in order to accomplish the works He was called to do. We will need the same power to accomplish our mission in God; therefore we must embrace his life style to access the same power that was available to Christ. Jesus loved the truth while hating iniquity.
«You have loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; Therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness above your fellows». (Hebrews 1:9).
My way of life is directly related to the presence of God in my life. Therefore, obtaining the nature of Christ is our first ministry and then doing His works. For example, my calling is to preach Jesus and His word, not preach my self or my own teachings. This calling demands that I live in such a way such that people could see Jesus through my life. For this reason I need the power and anointing of God upon my live, but those depend fully on the way I live my life. If I want the represent Christ and move in His authority, then I must embrace His life style. Then my light will shine brighter. Lets’ turn to our foundational passage again to see the other principles that will help our light to shine brighter: «Therefore seeing we have this ministry, even as we obtained mercy, we don’t faint. But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by the manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. Even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled in those who perish; in whom the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving, that the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should not dawn on them. For we don’t preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake». (2nd Corinthians 4:1-5).
The verses above help us to spot few more spiritual principles that can help us to reflect God in our life.
2) It is important to see that the ministry I received is by the mercy of God and not because of my worthiness. Never ever think that you really deserve the place of honour where you are now! If God has graced you and counted you worthy to serve Him or do something for Him, remain humble always and learn to always return the glory back to Him. A wise man always credits to God’s account every good things and achievement in his life. What God has planned to do will definitely happen – with me or without me – but what a great honours for me when I am used as an instrument in the hand of God! If God uses you, never think it’s because of your own merit. If God decide to abandon you right now, nobody will remember anything about you any more. So always keep in mind that the ministry you have received fro God is because of His mercy and grace. This attitude will keep you humble and help you to walk in the fear God. Praise Jesus for everything that happens in you life. The next principle that helps us to shine brighter in God is: 3) You must not faint. Paul said «…we don’t faint …» (2nd Corinthians 4:1).
Fainting or depression means getting weak, giving up and becoming completely lifeless. It’s a state of lacking strength and motivation you need to move ahead. It is states when your hands are weighed down, when you are suppose to lift them up. We must not faint in any sphere of our life. Depression, despair is a wrong way of thinking. Jesus was never depressed, so He is an example for us. Maybe you fail in your attempt to accomplish your goals and mission in life, or things are not working out the way you have planned them, nevertheless don’t faint and do not hang your hands or give up. Keep on working at your calling and election – to represent and reveal God to this world. «Therefore, brothers, be more diligent to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never stumble». (2 nd Peter 1:10).
Never give up nor faint! God bless you at this beautiful day! Rufus Ajiboye, pastor
