Authority, Service, and Honor

I Thessalonians 5:14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.

Recognizing the need among believers, Paul continued his outline of 22 commands and admonitions. (Continuation from the title: (“Feebleminded or Cheerleader, Which Are You?”) 7.) Know or be kind to ministers. First let’s define the word, minister. A minister is a chief servant. One who is appointed to transact or manage business under the authority of another. Christ is called a minister of the sanctuary for He was appointed and anointed to transact kingdom business. According to 2 Corinthians, God reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature, who has been given the authority to minister. Let me say it this way, you have the authority to transact God’s business. You are encouraged to get to know those who minister alongside you and to be kind and tenderhearted to all people, especially those of the household of faith. A8.) Esteem ministers highly in love. These ministers mentioned here are our leaders in the faith. Christ gave us some apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers, to equip us for the work of ministry (service), to build up the body of Christ, to unify us in the faith, to help increase our knowledge of Christ so that we may mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ. For this reason, they are to be honored, highly esteemed. We recognize that they are not God, but we honor them for they are God’s agents of preparation for the saints. We have the authority; we are continually being equipped for the service; we are called to do the work; and, we are to honor the agents of God. To be continued.

Scripture Reference: I Thessalonians 5:12-13; Hebrews 8:1-2 ; II Corinthians 5:17-18; Galatians 6:10; Ephesians 4:11-13

Prayer for today: Father, thank you for making me a new creature in Christ and giving me the authority to transact your business. Help me, I pray, to always honor and love your agents and to actively engage in the ministry of reconciliation, which you have given me. In JESUS name, AMEN.

Whatever you must do today, there is a grace for that. Accept the grace and make it a sweatless day.

Love

Dianne