WCTLC

Now Let Me Explain The Specifics

Our next step is to learn how to hear the mind of Christ in regards to time, location, resources, and efforts regarding ministry issues. These aren't sin or righteousness issues. It still has to do with knowing, wanting, and doing. But not as it relates to sin or righteousness. This is more of a fine tuning of our life and ministry. Now that we are heading in the right direction as it relates to sin and righteousness, God wants us to turn our time, location, resources, and effort over to Him as well. Let's compare our Christian life with our Christian ministry so as to get God's way of doing this.

John 14:15 (NIV) If you love Me, you will obey what I command.

Our obedience to the mind of Christ in Christian living is empowered by our love for Him. He makes it clear what He wants us to do or not do and our love for Him brings it into being. That same love relationship will carry right on into ministry. We will spend time helping others so as to demonstrate our love for Him. However, helping others at our own discretion isn't what Jesus has in mind. If we love Him, we will do what He wants done, when He wants it done, where He wants it done, and to whom He wants it done. Just like we don't run our own Christian life without His life and influence being lived through us, we don't do ministry without Him completely controlling and providing us with everything we are doing.

John 15:5 (NIV) I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing.

Can't You Just Love Them For Me?

The next issue is where ministry gets a little more complicated. We have to love others so the ministry can flow from Jesus, through us, to them. Without that love we will not be a channel through which Jesus can flow to them. Jesus loves them. But, if for some reason we don't love a particular person, that lack of love will block off what Jesus wants to do through us to them. Additionally, we have to be able to demonstrate that love at a moment's notice.

Mark 10:17-22 (NIV) As Jesus started on His way, a man ran up to Him and fell on his knees before Him. "Good teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?" "Why do you call Me good?" Jesus answered. "No one is good--except God alone. You know the commandments: 'Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, do not defraud, honor your father and mother.'" "Teacher," he declared, "all these I have kept since I was a boy." Jesus looked at him and loved him. "One thing you lack," He said. "Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me." At this the man's face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.

Love Is The Path Jesus Uses To Minister Through Us

Let's say this rich man ran up to us and we had a real problem with rich people. Suppose that we had such a problem with them that we didn't like them much less love them. That will be a moment when Jesus won't be able to do what He wants to do through us. The power of God, the mind of Christ, the presence of Jesus and the Holy Spirit, and the right situation will all be there. Yet, the ministry of Jesus will not be done. On the other hand, let's say everything goes great as Jesus ministers through us to the rich man. We feel the love of Jesus for him but just can't say anything that would hurt his feelings. We are a yielded vessel right up to the point of saying: "Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow [Jesus]." At that point we resist and don't let those words flow through our mouth. Love doesn't just consist of saying things people like to hear. It can sometimes be very convicting. If we allow the love of God take over, we will obey every aspect of God's wishes and the rich man will go away sad. It is true that God loves everyone. However, God has a timing that we don't always understand. Let's take a look at that.

Protection Through Love