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For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for I am under compulsion; for woe is me if I do not preach the gospel.
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Saul of Tarsus, was a Pharisee who had been radically committed to persecuting the disciples of Christ in the early church. He was breathing threats and murder against the believers in the Lord. At one point he was on his way to Damascus to arrest any followers of Jesus he could find, men or woman, and bring them back to Jerusalem for that ‘crime’. He never finished that trip! {Acts 9:1-8}

Along the way Saul encountered the risen Savior, Jesus Christ! He was blinded for three days in order that he might see with his new heart because, as he would later write himself, faith comes by hearing and not by sight. {2Cor.5:7} Paul, a new creation {2Cor.5:17} would now have to walk that road to fulfill his ministry—to preach the gospel That was the end of Saul the Pharisee and the birth of Paul the apostle who was now radically committed to making disciples of the Lord! Jesus came to seek and to find that which was lost {Lk.19:10} and He certainly found one that day!

Paul was not just given a ministry, he was entrusted with that ministry. That meant he was responsible before God to fulfill it for the Lord’s purpose. As he would later write (our verse for today) “I am under compulsion; for woe is me if I do not preach the gospel.” {1Cor.9:16} And that brings me to another verse, instruction to all believers when Paul says: “Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ.” {1Cor.11:1}

Although many churches deny this fact in practice, all believers, every child of God, has been given—or should I say been entrusted with—a ministry, a manifestation of the Holy Spirit for the common good. He gives those spiritual gifts to each one individually, just as He wills. All of the parts of a body have to function properly, there are no unimportant parts! Something that becomes more clear with age as I can attest to.

We are told to appreciate those who diligently labor among us, and have charge over us in the Lord and who give us instruction, and that we esteem them very highly in love. {1Thes.5:12-13} We are called to humble ourselves {1Pt.5:6} while we continually exalt our God and King and praise His name for ever and ever. {Ps.145:1} Do not lose sight of the fact that the work, the ministry of the apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers is to equip the saints for the work of service so that they all can fulfill their ministry. {Eph.4:11-13} That will bring about the unity we need in the body.

Many years ago I was invited to meet and spend some time in Southern California with the general manager of what is now the largest Christian radio network. We had a great time together and he invited me to do one of my two day seminars on Christianity in the Workplace. We had never met before so he had asked me about my ministry which had taken me to many countries around the world.

When I finished sharing my testimony with him he asked, obviously impressed, ‘Why haven’t I heard about you before?’ I responded by asking him rhetorically, ‘Have you heard of Jesus?’ He said yes and I said, then I have been doing my job! I proclaim the excellencies of Him who called me {1Pt.2:9} not my own! And that puts me in very good company:

“So when (Jesus) had washed their feet, and taken His garments and reclined at the table again, He said to them, do you know what I have done to you? You call Me Teacher and Lord; and you are right, for so I am. If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also should do as I did to you.” (John 13:12-15)

TEST ALL THINGS BY THE WORD OF GOD