Ministries of Grace

“I became a minister according to the gift of the grace of God given to me by the effective working of His power.” [1]

This statement from the Holy Bible is true of genuine ministers of Christ. We receive our ministry for God by a gift of His grace. His power brought about our transformation. His Spirit anoints us to love God, to love His Word, to love His bride the Church, and to love to see lost souls converted unto Christ so that they receive eternal life and join in fellowship with the people of God.

“To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ.” [2]

We did not deserve or earn this calling. This calling was given to us by God’s grace. So, if people look at our lives and wonder who gave us authority to preach the unsearchable riches of Christ, we must answer that God did by His grace.

Hudson Taylor, the great missionary who carried the Gospel to the interior of China, was approached by a man with one leg. This man said, “I want to go to China as a missionary.” Hudson asked, “Why do you think you can be a missionary when you have only one leg?” The man replied, “Because I don't see any men with two good legs going.”

“God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty.” [3]

What is our mission?

“To make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ; to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him.” [4]

Our goal is to make people see what is the fellowship that we enjoy in God through Christ His Son. Thanks to the faith bestowed upon us through the preaching of the Gospel of Jesus, we have boldness and confidence with God. We want others to enjoy this blessing.

“Therefore, I ask that you do not lose heart at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.” [5]

So, yes, we ministers experience trials, setbacks, and delays, but we hope that no one that we serve will lose heart because of these hardships that we experience. Did not the prophets, apostles, and Jesus Christ Himself suffer in this world to bring fellowship with God to others? Is it not better to suffer for righteousness’ sake, than to live a life of ease and pleasure for ourselves that does not bring glory to God, nor does such a life bring the Good News of salvation to lost souls? We rely on God's grace in Christ Jesus to help us initiate fellowship between Him and people. His grace is sufficient.  

[1] Ephesians 3:7
[2] Ephesians 3:8
[3] 1 Corinthians 1:27
[4] Ephesians 3:9-12
[5] Ephesians 3:13