Dualism remains a problem for
many Christ followers. They compartmentalize their lives and miss the presence
and light of God in every moment, breath, and context of life.
Here are some scriptural truths
on the matter:
Matthew 5:14 - You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be
hidden.
Proverbs 4:18 - The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn,
shining ever brighter till the full light of day.
John 8:12 - When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the
light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will
have the light of life."
Ministry by definition: the
spiritual work or service of any Christian or a group of Christians
One of the greatest revelations
we can ever embrace is that whatever we do in life, IS MINISTRY, because the
light of God in us and through us never goes dim.
Every job, every assignment, our
family, our leisure, and whatever pathway that the Holy Spirit may lead us, IS
MINISTRY.
Colossians 3:23-24 Whatever work you do, do it with all your heart. Do it for
the Lord and not for men. Remember that
you will get your reward from the Lord. He will give you what you should
receive. You are working for the Lord Jesus Christ.
Everything We Do Can Serve the King and His
Kingdom!
No matter what you are doing, you
are to do it all for Him, serving Him and His kingdom. If every believer can
grasp the revelation that they are carrying His presence wherever they go, it
will transform them and many around them. They will desire to walk in His
nature, His love, and His purposes, while establishing the kingdom of God upon
the earth today.
When I first began falling deeper
and deeper in love with the God, I thought that the natural progression for me
would to become a full time ecclesiastic, in the four walls, type of
organizational ministry. This false impression came with a guise that I would
be loving God more that way. As I put myself more and more into the
ecclesiastical pattern of service, I seemed to be getting more and more
restless. The Lord finally had to hit me upside the head and say, "You're going
the wrong way." I finally got the message and understanding that God had a
different plan for me.
I finally understood that as I am
in Him and He is in me, everything I did in obedience was just as spiritual as
being a pope, a pastor, a prophet or any other title that religion might bestow
upon any of us. The Father seemed to say to me, "As you continue to hear my
voice and obey my words, I will continue to take pleasure in every part of your
life with me."
As the Lord continues to conform
us into His image, the world begins to see Him work through us in all phases of
life. We become His divine stewards of our families, businesses, and in the
communities in which we live. The stewardship of all that the Lord has for us
becomes full-time ministry for each of us, because we never stop representing
Him. We are called to be full-time
ministers throughout our business day as well, regardless of what we do. A bus driver's ministry as the light of
Christ is just as valid as those who shine His light from behind a pulpit. Mothers,
you are full time ministers to your family and community, even if you never
work outside of the home.
Everything We Do is for the Glory of God.
We become an act of worship to
our Father in all that we do. In the name of Jesus, we become a people of
character and integrity that bring salt and light to the world around us. In
many ways and applications, ecclesiastic ministry may never reach or be
relevant to those that are in the marketplace. But those in the marketplace who
walk in the love and power of God, can be transformational instruments for His
purposes.
2 Corinthians 4:6-7 For God, who said, "Let there be light in the darkness," has
made us understand that this light is the brightness of the glory of God that
is seen in the face of Jesus Christ. But this precious treasure-this light and
power that now shine within us - is held in perishable containers, that is, in
our weak bodies. So everyone can see that our glorious power is from God and is
not our own.
We Carry His Presence Wherever We Go!
What an honor and joy it is to
know that we bring His glory into every jurisdiction, situation and application
in life. Just His presence alone can set people free. I have witnessed the
presence of God transform lives through the simplicity of conversation or a
relational engagement. There have been times when the people I am relating with
feel amazingly safe in sharing their deepest and darkest secrets with me. They
will often say, "I have never told that to anyone, but there is something
different about you, I trust you." Well, we know what that difference is and
what it isn't. It certainly is not you or me outside of God. It is God in us,
and it is His presence through us that will will allow the blind to see and the
lost to finally find their journey in God.
Knowing we are activating His
ministry every moment of every day, we must continue to be living epistles of
grace and mercy to all we come in contact with. This does not mean we will
necessarily preach. It just means we will be prepared to hear His voice, and
give what He says we are to give. Our lives will preach beyond words, because
of His presence. When we try and wear our own spiritual clothes, it becomes a
fruitless occasion. He may want us to give a word fitly spoken without chapter
and verse, or just deliver some love, understanding, and encouragement. We must
have an ear to hear; which only comes from intimacy and time spent with the
Father and His Word. With this intimacy, we gain a sensitivity to hear what He
has for another during those opportune moments.
We cannot shut out the light of
God. It is in us, on us, and through us at all times. We need every false religious tendency to die
in order for us to flow in the life and experience of God. We must love
supernaturally in bringing forth the Kingdom of God in powerful ways. Father,
give us wisdom and revelation as we serve in the marketplace and impart your
glory to the world in Jesus name...Amen.
Robert Ricciardelli
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