Pleasing or Not
- Anita Delene Manthe
- Nov 13, 2016
- 2 min read
We all like to make a difference, to reach those who do not know Christ with the truth of the Gospel. However, cross cultural ministry is hard work. Many misunderstandings occur, and often this can break relationships causing divisions that none like to be a part of.
To prevent this we need to be vigilant, we need to be in prayer. We need to depend on the Lord for the opening of doors, the directing of ministry – it is His church, His Kingdom. He will build it. However, we need wisdom and knowledge to do those things He has called us to. We need this knowledge irrespective of our Christian ‘rank’: seasoned in ministry, new to ministry, an old faithful saint, or a new convert to Christianity.
Consider Colossians 1:9-10, ‘From the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God’.
We need to be in prayer for ourselves as ministry leaders, for those we minister to, and equally important we are to be prayed for too. Prayed for by those we minister to – they are to pray for us and themselves. For our needs, and for their own.
If the prayer burden is shared for humility in instruction and humility in listening and growing, there can only be less of an opportunity for misunderstandings to occur.
To be filled with the knowledge of His will implies personal knowledge of Truth – the Word of God. Truth implanted informs opinions, thoughts, feelings, views and ideas and Truth determines our inclinations and our reason. Truth controls why we do the things we do.
Do we do those things the Lord calls us to do, or are we satisfied in our own interpretation of events, and circumstances?
How are we to be filled up with knowledge of Him?
What does fruit from knowledge of Truth look like?
Is it effective to change and grow me – and you?
What is your strategy for growing in knowledge?
Consider the following verses as you answer the above questions.
The God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints (Ephesians 1:17-18).
It is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ (Philippians 1:9-10).
Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity (2 Peter 3:18).
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