Paul speaks of a certain ministry calling that every Christian has. This ministry does not require particular gifts or talents; rather, it is to be undertaken by all who have been born again. In fact, this ministry is every believer’s first calling. All other endeavors must flow out of it because no ministry can be pleasing to God unless it is birthed out of this calling.
Isaiah 16:6 vividly describes what happens to a proud nation that falls under God’s judgment: “We have heard of the pride of Moab … of his haughtiness and his pride and his wrath; but his lies shall not be so.” Throughout Scripture, the nation of Moab serves as a symbol representing all self-reliant people who turn their backs on God and fall under his judgment.
To enter into God’s rest, we must renounce our own efforts. Faith alone admits us into this perfect rest: “For we who have believed do enter that rest” (Hebrews 4:3). Simply put, we are to set our hearts to believe that God is faithful to deliver us in every circumstance, no matter how impossible it may seem.
According to Jesus, in God’s eyes Christ and his Church are one. Paul illustrates this with the analogy of a human body. He says Christ is the head and we are his body — bone of his bone, flesh of his flesh. “[God] put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all” (Ephesians 1:22-23). “For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones” (Ephesians 5:30).
One of the great tragedies of the Church in this generation, and one of God’s greatest griefs, is that so many Christians are not truly happy. They put on a good front — singing, clapping, smiling and praising. But lurking just beneath the surface is loneliness and deep misery.
As the old prophet Elijah pondered his last day on earth, he invited his servant, Elisha, to go along with him as he visited the towns of Bethel and Jericho. On this “teaching journey,” they arrived at the bank of the Jordan River where Elijah removed his mantle — a wide, loose-fitting garment or gown — and smote the water with it. Supernaturally, the waters parted and the two men crossed over on dry ground (see 2 Kings 2:8).
As Jesus made his way toward Galilee, he came to Jacob’s Well in Samaria where he stopped to rest from his journey. When his disciples went to buy food, a Samaritan woman came to the well to draw water and Jesus made a simple request of her: “Give Me a drink” (John 4:7).
Christ’s words to this woman began a long conversation and during their talk, she was amazed at the things he told her. Finally, she said, “‘I know that Messiah is coming’ (who is called Christ). ‘When He comes, He will tell us all things.’ Jesus said to her, ‘I who speak to you am He’” (John 4:25-26).
Every Christian knows that God doesn’t dwell in manmade temples or buildings. Instead, our Lord has chosen to live in human vessels — that is, in the hearts and bodies of his people. Every believer can boast with confidence, “God lives in me.” Of course, the Lord is everywhere, but according to his Word, the blood-cleansed heart is his permanent dwelling.
Where is the church in the midst of chaos? It is full of religious activity but it is mostly flesh. That is tragic, because our Lord always has a remedy for a world in chaos. A time-tested remedy he has used for generations to wake up his dead, backslidden church, it is simply this: God raises up chosen men and women.
“The word of the Lord came to Jonah … saying, ‘Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry out against it; for their wickedness has come up before Me.’ But Jonah arose to flee to Tarshish” (Jonah 1:1-3).