January 24, 2016

John 20:21 VOICE – “I give you the gift of peace. In the same way the Father sent Me, I am now sending                                         you.”
 
Our Lord Jesus said, “In the same way.” The work is HIS Work, the Love is HIS Love, the Glory is HIS Glory, the Ministry is HIS Ministry; and we must make this our Holy Passion and Mission.  This understanding of the ministry is essential for us to be effective because there is a very fine line for the servant of the Lord, between Holy Faith and Vain Conceit; between Godly Passion and Selfish Ambition. 
 
I believe that one of the remedies to stay on the correct side of that line is to recognize that His is the Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory! His is the Honor among the Nations and the Glorious Light of Heaven.  He and He alone is Worthy of Praise, and whatever ministry He allows for our participation is by His gracious kindness and benevolent mercy.  The Lord Jesus calls us because He wants us to be involved in His Great Mission: the reconciliation of Humanity to the Father and the restoration of all things under His Kingdom’s reign.
 
Christianity itself is a journey from SELF to CHRIST.  The joy of Heaven is the full apprehension of God, the joy of Earth is the pursuit of God.  We begin this journey in Self-Interest:  I need a Savior; I want eternal life over eternal darkness.  However, like children, we must not stay there.  We must grow into Christ-Interest: the extension of His Kingdom, the glorification of His Name, the ministry of His Grace to others.
 
As long as life and ministry are perceived solely from the viewpoint of self-interest, it can never be lived to the fullest, nor will it bear the sweetest of fruit.  We are called to see the higher, eternal purposes of God, and in turn share a deep, genuine concern for the needs of others.  In so doing, we can then truly reflect His character into a sin-filled world. Therefore, 

• We exist to do the MINISTRY of Christ; in the LOVE of Christ; for the GLORY of Christ!