By Darien and Kimoy Callum
Dear youths, this word is for you. Regardless of age, there is one salvation, one faith, and one Spirit. Therefore, “Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.” 1 Timothy 4:12
If you have accepted Christ and have now received the Holy Spirit, congratulations! You are completely new. You are now required to minister the life of Christ. Yes! All your life is about ministering the gospel—reconciling people to God (2 Corinthians 5:17–19). l know that might sound shocking, since most of us perceive ministers as those who graduated seminary. Quite simply, to minister is to serve; banish the ideology that it’s only those in the pulpit with a microphone that minister.
For the record, formal ministerial training can be beneficial, but we must remember that the Holy Spirit is the ultimate teacher and minister. (“But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” John 14:26)
So, if God made all his children ministers, what does He expect? What makes us worthy and effective ministers? Before Jesus ascended, He told His disciples they would do greater works, but they must wait for the Holy Spirit. Why? At that point in history, Jesus was the only man in whom the Holy Spirit dwelt. “Greater works” then would be “Jesus Christ multiplied.” More people would experience His life by becoming one with Him through the Holy Spirit. They would be enabled by grace to be like Him. This reality is not confined to the church in the scriptures; it’s ours too.
We hear rebuttals…”But Jesus was different! I cannot live holy like Him! Nobody’s perfect!” Come, let’s hear what the Bible says about that: “He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.” (1 John 2:6) That’s the good news! Sin no longer has dominion over those who are born again (Romans 6:14… read the chapter if you will; it’s liberating!). We don’t have to sin. Contrary to popular belief, we no longer possess a sinful nature (“whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” 2 Peter 1:4).
Jesus also promised us a way of escape when tempted. Did He lie? Never! He keeps His word. This makes Him just to command us to be holy.
If you have experienced His grace causing you to overcome a temptation once, what hinders you from overcoming again and again? Is His grace available sometimes or always? How will the church become His spotless bride unless we are truly pure? The truth is, we sin by choice; however, that does not negate the fact that the standard is Jesus Christ, who was tempted in all wise but did not sin. (Hebrews 4:15)
What does all this have to do with being a minister? God only awards service (ministry) done through the life of Christ in us. It must be from a pure heart. Sin obstructs our fellowship with God, making our works vain. Furthermore, we cannot reconcile anyone to God if we are not rightly aligned with Him.
You may feel convicted reading this, but we can testify that there is mercy—the opportunity to get right with God and continue in obedience. Jesus wants us to stay yoked with Him and take on humility of mind, even agreeing that we exist to serve rather than be served. Yes, we serve others, but only through and unto Him. So, fellow ministers, our responsibility is to let God be God in us. If we press on in obedience to the Holy Spirit, we will hear, “Well done good and faithful servant.” (Matt 25:21)
“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. ”Titus 2:11-14
Darien and Kimoy Callum, husband and wife, are both members of Passion and Purity. As a couple, they seek to support each other as much as possible in whatever each decides to pursue; this way they get to practise teamwork in various areas of life…of late, writing has become one.
Contact passionandpurityja@gmail.com, Tel. No. (876) 350-7976, or their website at www.passionandpurity.com.