You want to walk the path of perfection in ministry, particularly in an age as argumentative as this? remember what was said concerning the Lord Jesus Christ in Matthew 12:20. It essentially demands of us to see the need of the world for God, even though they do not see it. The Lord will not contentiously rebuke and persecute those weak in faith or love. He strengthened and kindled them using His own meekness. This is the nature that Paul was commending to his son Timothy and to us all.

Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes. And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; and that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will. 2 Timothy 2:22-26

Paul summarised this trait in the following way—being able to teach instead of trying to force your opinions on someone; simply saying, “Here is what l have discovered in God’s word and here is the difference it has made in my life.” Your experience is never at the mercy of someone else’s argument. Not resentful at their reaction rather walk in the understanding that, only when your own hurts have been healed can God use you to heal the hurts of others. So if you understood that the evil or good that anyone does to you, that it is not because they have the power but because God allowed it, you cease to fight rather submit to the will of Him who allowed it (John 19:11; Matt. 26:53).

Psalm 119:165 demands that in nothing shall we be offended. We accept what is expressed in Psalm 69:9, “For my Lord said, the reproaches of those that reproached you fell on me,” knowing that it is required of us to take up the remainder of the suffering of Christ as we suffer in our flesh, we bear the burdens of His church, His body. This is why we are servants of Christ and is the evidence of our surrendered lives (Col 1:24; John 17:10 (TPT). We do not live by the accolades of men!

Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church. Colossians 1:24

For all who belong to me now belong to you. And all who belong to you now belong to me as well, and my glory is revealed through their surrendered lives. John 17:10 (TPT)

So dearly beloved, let us labour, toil, and combat according to His working which works in us with power, praying for all the brethren that our hearts may be united in love and be encouraged! Shalom


Pastor Afolabi Oladele