PUT INTO THE MINISTRY -- Monday:
"And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry" (1 Timothy 1:12)
What is "the ministry," and why are people "put" into it? Some translations use the word "service" in the place of "ministry." The NIV says "HIS service," emphasizing that God's purposes and interests are being served. Also, some versions say "appointed" instead of "putting," emphasizing the placement was by Divine discretion.
"The ministry" is the work of executing the will of another, even the Lord. It is serving the Lord by fulfilling specific and assigned tasks. Of old time, kings appointed men to certain tasks. There were priestly courses (2 Chron 8:14), singers (2 Chron 20:21), and even cupbearers (1 Kgs 10:5). These offices were not filled by mere volunteers, but were appointments of the king. They all performed a function that pleased the king, and fell within his jurisdiction – a ministry.
The word "put," or "putting," has much to do with God's relationship with men. Though often neglected by men, this is a facet of Divine working that is frequently mentioned in Scripture. Once He "put a lying spirit" in the mouth of Ahab's prophets (2 Chron 18:22). Ezra confessed that the Lord had "put" into the heart of king Artaxerxes to "beautify the house of the Lord which is in Jerusalem" (Ezra 7:27). David said God "put a new song" in his heart (Psa 40:3). Part of the New Covenant involved this promise: "I will put my law in their inward parts" (Jer 31:33). God also said, "I will put my fear in their hearts," (Jer 32:40) and "put a new spirit within you" (Ezek 11:19). Jesus showed John how God would "put" into the hearts of the kings of the earth to "give their kingdom unto the beast" (Rev 17:17).
In the involvements of God with men, then, there are things that are done in His wisdom and strength. Truly, He has "set," or "placed the members every one of them in the body as it hath pleased Him" (1 Cor 12:18). Men do not assume vital roles in the body of Christ. Like Jesus, they cannot take this honor to themselves, or assume roles to which they were not appointed (Heb 5:4). If there are overseers in the body of Christ, it is because they have been "made overseers" by the Lord (Acts 20:28). Elsewhere Paul confesses "I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles" (2 Tim 1:11). He was "put into the ministry."
Paul associated two things with Christ's appointment of him to "the ministry." First, there was ENABLEMENT – "enabled me." That is, the Lord empowered Paul, making him equal to his assignment. His Apostleship carried him through many difficult and challenging circumstances. "Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches" (2 Cor 11:25-28). How is it that Paul was able to not only survive these things, but faithfully fulfill his ministry in the midst of them? It is because Jesus "enabled" him. Christ has no ministry that does not come with Divine enablement–strength to complete the appointed task.
Second, Paul affirms Jesus "counted me faithful." That is, the Lord "considered," NIV or judged him to be trustworthy. He could be trusted to do what he was told, and to enter into the task assigned to him. The are no valid Kingdom ministries for those who cannot be trusted – those who are not "faithful." As confirmed in Judas, unfaithfulness excludes one from "the ministry." Every part of the Lord's work requires dependability and trustworthiness. It is to be understood that the strength to be trustworthy was GIVEN to Paul – "He hath enabled me." But Paul had the faith and the will to use that strength, and Jesus took that into account. This text reminds me of Lydia's word to Paul and Silas: "If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there" (Acts 16:15). She did what the Gospel required, and Paul did what the Apostleship required.
Accompanied by the Lord's enablement and Paul's faithfulness, he was "put into the ministry." The record of his prodigious ministry is a glowing testimony to the accuracy of his words. He "labored more abundantly than they (the other Apostles) all" (1 Cor 15:10), confirming he had been enabled. He could be trusted to be a good steward of this enablement because the Lord considered him "faithful." After all, "it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful" (1 Cor 4:2).
Perhaps you feel God has called you to some ministry – to some facet of His "eternal purpose." If your assessment is true, Jesus will enable you to carry it to completion. If you have been "put" into "the ministry," it is because you have been considered faithful and trustworthy. You will not receive his grace in vain. Where either enablement or faithfulness is missing, the person has NOT been "put into the ministry." The very presence of those indispensable virtues confirm Divine placement. I have no doubt that those so blessed will faithfully give God the glory.
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, I thank You for a kingdom that is administered with wisdom and discretion.