I’m concerned with whether we as believers really know our Value in Christ and the Kingdom. And what our potential in life and ministry is. The apostle Peter said, “make your calling, and election sure”, 1 Peter 1:10. The apostle Paul said, “I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office”, Romans 11:13. Therefore, it we don’t know our calling, we are not sure of our value. To that I say, may the eyes of our understanding be enlightened that we may know the hope of His (God’s) calling upon our lives. Our value is in our calling!
As for our potential in life and ministry, it is directly associated with our relationship to others. Paul said to a group of saints that had a special relationship with him, “…he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart…. ye all are partakers of my grace”, Philippians 1:6,7. And to other groups he says, “My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you” Galatians 4:19.
Their relationship to Paul dictated their potential for spiritual maturity and reaching, “the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ”, Ephesians 4:13. but as for Paul himself and his potential, he says to another group that he had a special relationship with, “for now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord”, 1 Thessalonians 3:8. Their steadfastness in the Lord helped to maintain the life of the apostle.
The question at hand is do you know who you are related to? Whosoever you are rightly and fully related to is dictating your future, and potentially the outcome of your life and ministry. may our Lord take a liking to us!
Yours in Christ Jesus,
Bishop Robert E. Smith, Sr.
