Author: iolaHC

I am an Artwork in progress

The Wrath of God

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Ephesians 5:5-7 For this you know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things come the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not you therefore partakers with them. 

‘No whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.’ This is the 8th New Testament prophecy in Ephesians (5:5-6) and it is unfulfilled. Five Classes that will not inherit God’s Kingdom are noted here: [1] Whoremongers. [Greek: pornos] a male prostitute; a sexually immoral man. Translated “fornicator” (1Cor. 5:9-11; 6:9; Heb. 12:16) and “whoremonger” (5:5; 1Tim. 1:10; Heb. 13:4; Rev. 21:8; 22:15). [2] Unclean persons. [Greek: akathartos] homosexual, pervert (Luke 4:33; Gal 5:19). [3] Covetous men (Matt. 6:19-21; Luke 12:15; Rom. 13:9; Heb. 13:5; 1Jn. 2:15-17). [4] Deceivers (5:6; 2Tim. 3:13; Tit. 1:10; 3:3; Rev. 12:9; 20:3, 20:8). [5] Children of disobedience (5:6; 2:2; Col. 3:6). According to Athenaeus, the Ephesians were addicted to luxury, effeminacy, and sexual vice.

‘Be not you therefore partakers with them.’ Fifteen commands are given to Christians here: Be not partners with them (5:5-7). Walk as children of light (5:8-9). Prove what is acceptable to God (5:10). Have no fellowship with the works of darkness (5:11-13). Reprove the works of darkness (5:11-13). Awake from sleep and death (5:14). Walk circumspectly (5:15). Walk as wise men (5:15, 17). Redeem the time (5:16). Understand the will of God (5:17). Don’t drink wine (5:18). Be filled with the Spirit (5:18). Edify yourselves with praise and singing to honour God (5:19). Give thanks to God in Jesus’ name (5:20). Submit yourselves to each other (5:21).

Followers of God

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Ephesians 5:1-4 Be you therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also had loved us, and had given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour. But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as become saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. 

‘Followers’ [Greek: mimetes] imitators; mimic the gait, speech, accent, and manner of life of another. In 1Corinthians 4:16, Paul advises the Christians to follow or imitate him as he imitated Christ (1Cor. 11:1; 1Thess. 1:6; 2:14; Heb. 6:12; 1Pet. 3:13). Here, it means to imitate God as children do their parents; imitate His acts, words, nature, ways, graces, and Spirit.

‘Given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God.’ The twofold sacrifice of Christ: As an offering; the same as in Leviticus 2:1 to show gratitude for temporal blessings received. As a sacrifice for sin (Matt. 26:28; 1Pet. 2:24); the same as in Leviticus 1:9; 3:16.

‘Sweetsmelling savour’ – An aroma of a sweet smell to God. That is, God was well pleased with the offering and sacrifice of Christ because it made possible the redemption of His fallen creation (Rom. 8:18-24).

‘But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as become saints.’ Six forbidden things to saints (5:5-6): [1] Fornication (Matt. 5:32; 19:9; 1Cor. 7:2; 10:8; 1Thess. 4:3; Rev. 9:21); [2] Uncleanness (Rom. 1:21-32; 6:19; 2Cor. 12:21; Gal. 5:19); [3] Covetousness (Matt. 6:19-21; Luke 12:15; Rom. 13:9; Heb. 13:5; 1Jn. 2:15-17); [4] Filthiness [Greek: aischrotes] meaning ugliness, baseness, vileness, shame, infamy; [5] Foolish talking [Greek: morologia] speaking foolishly; idle, stupid talk; [6] Jesting [Greek: eutrapelia] ribaldry; indecency sugar-coated-in mirth to make it more corrupting; coarse jesting; obscene and offensive conversation.

For Christ’s Sake

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Ephesians 4:31-32 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be you kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake had forgiven you. 

‘Bitterness’ [Greek: pikria] bitterness, malice, venom (Acts 8:23; Rom. 3:14; Heb.12:15).

‘Wrath’ [Greek: thumos] any vehement passion, anger, wrath, hatred (Gal. 5:20).

‘Anger’ [Greek: orge] anger (4:31; Mark 3:5; Col. 3:8); indignation (Rev. 14:10); vengeance (Rom. 3:5); and wrath (2:3; 5:6; Matt. 3:7; Luke 3:7; 21:23; John 3:36; Rom. 1:18; 2:5, 8; 4:15; 5:9; 11:22; 12:19; 13:4-5; Col. 3:6; 1Thess. 1:10; 2:16; 5:9; 1Tim. 2:8; Heb. 3:11; 4:3; Jas. 1:19-20; Rev. 6:16-17; 11:18; 16:19; 19:15).

‘Clamour’ [Greek: krauge] uproar (4:31; Matt. 25:5; Acts 23:9; Heb. 5:7; Rev. 14:18; 21:4).

‘Evil speaking’ [Greek: blasphemia from blasphemos] to: Speak evil of (4:31; Jude 1:8); rail (1Tim. 6:4; 2Pet. 2:11); revile (Matt. 27:39); defame (1Cor. 4:13); slander (Rom. 3:8); insult by blasphemy (Matt. 12:31).

‘Malice’ [Greek: kakia] malice (4:31; 1Cor. 5:8; 14:20; Col. 3:8; Tit. 3:3; 1Pet. 2:1); evil (Matt. 6:34); naughtiness (Jas. 1:21); maliciousness (Rom. 1:29; 1Pet. 2:1); and wickedness (Acts 8:22).

‘Kind’ [Greek: chrestos] kind (4:32; Luke 6:35); good (1Cor. 15:33; Rom. 2:4); gracious (1Pet. 2:3); and easy (Matt. 11:30).

‘Tenderhearted’ [Greek: eusplangchnos] tenderly compassionate (1Pet. 3:8).

‘Forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.’ Matthew 6:14-15 summarizes the law of forgiveness: “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if you forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses” (Matt. 18:21-35; Col. 3:13).

Putting Away

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Ephesians 4:25-30 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. Be you angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil. Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needed. Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby you are sealed unto the day of redemption. 

‘Putting away’ [Greek: apotithemi] the aorist participle has the sense of “having put away.” We have to be done with the noted sins to be Christians as commanded in Romans 6, 1Peter 2:21-23 and 1 John 3.

‘Lying’ [Greek: to pseudos] the lie. It is the lie that is put away. This has to do with putting away satan who is the father of the lie (John 8:44; 2Thess. 2:11). It was a common thing for the heathen teachers to declare that a lie is better than the truth when it is profitable and less hurtful. Having been brought up in such a loose system of morality, these converts needed this admonition. Part of this verse is quoted from Zechariah 8:16.

‘Angry’ [Greek: orgizo] to make angry, provoke to anger, irritate (4:26; Matt. 5:22; 18:34; 22:7; Luke 14:21; 15:28; Rev. 11:18; 12:17). The reference is to being provoked to sin by satan, but one must not yield to such provoking or give place to the devil (4:26-27). The words “anger” and “angry” are used 278 times in the Bible, but only 12 times in the New Testament The faculty to be angry is God-created and perfectly sinless in itself. The misuse of it and all other faculties is what God condemns. God, Himself has been angry many times because of sin (Num. 11:1, 10, 33; 12:9; 14:11; Ps. 7:11). One must have a cause if he is to be angry (Matt. 5:22; Rom. 1:18; Jas. 1:19). God never de-humanizes or uncreates one in sanctification. Anger is allowed by the gospel (Mark 3:5), but not sin because of it.

‘Corrupt’ [Greek: sapros] useless, putrid, obscene (Matt. 7:17-18; 12:33; 13:48; Luke 6:43).

‘Grieve not the holy Spirit of God.’ Grieve not by doing any of these forbidden things of Ephesians 4:17-5:18.

‘Sealed unto the day of redemption’ – Sealed: For security (Matt. 27:66; Rev. 20:3). To hide, as the contents of a letter (Rev. 10:4; 22:10; cp. Deut. 32:34). To confirm or approve by testimony (John 3:33; 6:27; Rom. 15:28). To confirm ownership (1:13; 4:30; 2Cor. 1:22; Rev. 7:3-8). The Holy Spirit of adoption is given to everyone who repents (1:13; 4:30; Rom. 8:9, 14-16; 2Cor. 1:22) and he who has this Spirit has God’s seal that he belongs to the heavenly family.

Be Renewed

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Ephesians 4:23-24 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that you put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. 

‘Renewed’ [Greek: ananeoo] meaning the whole course of life now flows in a different direction (2Cor. 5:17-18). Be renewed in the attitude of your mind by renouncing its vanity (4:17), its darkness and blindness (4:18) and learning of Christ (4:20-21).

From 2Corinthians 5:17-21 we were given ten personal Gospel blessings: It brings one into Christ (2Cor. 5:17). One is a new creature (2Cor. 5:17). Old things are passed away (2Cor. 5:17). The Greek word for “old” is archaios, meaning ancient, original, old. Such things are no more in one. All things are new (2Cor. 5:17). The life is just the opposite of the old life. All things are of God (2Cor. 5:18). The true Christian does not permit anything in his life which is ungodly and unChristlike (Rom. 6:14-23; 8:1-13; Gal. 5:16-26). One is reconciled to God (2Cor. 5:18; Rom. 5:10; Eph. 2:14-18; Col. 1:20-21). He has part in the ministry of reconciliation (2Cor. 5:18-20; 1:18-24). He has been trusted with the Word of reconciliation (2Cor. 5:19; Mark 16:15-20). He is an ambassador of God in Christ’s stead (2Cor. 5:20; Prov. 13:17). He is the righteousness of God in Christ (2Cor. 5:21; Rom. 3:21-31; 8:4).

‘Put on’ [Greek: enduo] to be clothed with, put on (Matt. 27:31; Mark 15:20; Luke 15:22); be clothed with (Mark 15:17; Rev. 1:13); be clothed in (Rev. 15:6; 19:14), and arrayed in (Acts 12:21). Anyone clothed with this power will be able to confirm what he lives, and this is the only normal New Testament program (John 14:12; Mark 16:16-20). The new nature must be put on and it must manifest righteousness and true holiness (4:23-24). Salvation is a hope and not actually an unforfeitable possession until the next life (1Thess. 5:8; Rom. 8:20-25; 2Thess. 2:16; 1Pet. 1:5, 9, 13). Eternal life is also a hope now, even though we possess it (Tit. 1:2; 3:7; Heb. 3:6; 6:11, 6:11, 18-19; 1Pet. 1:3, 13). It will not actually be an unforfeitable and an eternal possession until the next life and at the end of a life of sowing to the Spirit (Matt. 7:13-14; 18:8-9; 19:28-29; Mark 10:29-30; Luke 18:29-30; Rom. 2:7; 6:21-23; Gal. 6:7-8; 1Tim. 1:16; 4:8; 6:12, 19; 1Pet. 1:5, 9, 13; 3:7; 1Jn. 2:25; Jude 1:20-24; Dan. 12:2; John 5:28-29).

‘The new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.’ This is the Spirit and nature of God in renewed man (4:23-24; 2Pet. 1:4; Rom. 8:9, 14-16).

‘Holiness’ [Greek: hosiotes] A normal Christian life consists of holiness (4:24; 1Thess. 4:7; Gal. 5:19-24; Heb. 12:14).

The Truth is In Jesus

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Ephesians 4:20-22 But you have not so learned Christ; If so be that you have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: That you put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts 

‘But you have not so learned Christ.’ Life of saints must contain the following: Learn Christ – get to know Him (4:20; Matt. 11:28-30). Hear and be taught by Christ (4:21). Put off the old man (4:22; 2Cor. 5:17). Be renewed in mind attitude (4:23). Put on the new man (4:24; 2Cor. 5:17). Put away lying and speak truth (4:25). Feel anger without acting on it by sinning (4:26). Give no place to the devil (4:27). Quit stealing (4:28). Work for a living (4:28). Give to the needy (4:28). Use the tongue right (4:29). Grieve not the Holy Spirit (4:30). Put away bitterness, wrath, anger, clamour, evil speaking, and malice (4:31). Be kind, tender-hearted, and forgiving as Christ (4:32). Be followers of God (5:1). Walk in love, as Christ did (5:2). Let not fornication, homosexuality, covetousness, filthiness, foolish talking, and sexual jesting be once named among you as becomes saints (5:3-4; cp. Mark 7:19-21; Rom. 1:18-32; 1Cor. 6:9-11; Gal. 5:19-21; Col. 3:5-10).

‘The old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts.’ The “old man” is the spirit and nature of the devil (2Cor. 5:17). Therefore, because we do not know any man after the flesh, not even Christ, it is vain for any man to profess a relationship with Christ according to the flesh, while he is unchanged in heart and life and dead in trespasses and sins. Two old things pass away:

[1] The spirit, nature, and power of sin the old man, which is nothing more nor less than the spirit, nature, and power of the devil working in men of disobedience (2:2; John 8:44; 2Cor. 4:4; 1Jn. 3:8; 5:18). This is what the Bible calls: The old man (4:22; Rom. 6:6; Col. 3:9); Sin (John 1:29; 8:34; Rom. 6:4-8:2); The body of sin (Rom. 6:6); The power of satan (Acts 26:18); The body of this death (Rom. 7:24); The lusts of the flesh (2:3); The lust of the eyes (1Jn. 2:15-17); The pride of life (1Jn. 2:15-17); The works of the flesh (Gal. 5:19); The world (1Jn. 2:15-17; Jas. 4:4); Vile affections (Rom. 1:26, 29); The lusts of the mind (2:3); The lusts of sin (Rom. 6:11-12); The motions of sins (Rom. 7:5); The law of sin and death (Rom.  7:7-8:2); The carnal mind (Rom. 8:1-13); The god of this world (2Cor. 4:4); Spiritual wickedness in high places … rulers of darkness (6:12); The lusts of your father (John 8:44); Sin that dwelleth in me (Rom. 7:17); The course of this world (2:2); The body of the sins of the flesh (Col. 2:11; Gal. 5:24; Rom. 8:1-39).

[2] Outward sin or transgression of the law (1Jn. 3:4; Rom. 4:15; Jas. 1:13-15). The outward acts are listed in Mark 7:19-21; Romans 1:18-32; 2Corinthians 6:9-11; Galatians 5:19-21; Colossians 3:5-10.

Both outward and inward sin must pass away or one cannot claim to be in Christ. The theory that only outward transgressions are forgiven and one is still under the control of the old man (the devil) is one of the most erroneous doctrines in Christendom (4:24; 2Cor. 5:17-18; 1Jn. 5:18; Rom. 6:6-23; 8:1-13).

Being Alienated from the Life of God

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Ephesians 4:17-19 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. 

‘Other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind.’ The ninefold former state of gentiles: Vain in mind (4:17). Dark in understanding (4:18; 2:12). Alien to God’s life (4:18; 2:12). Ignorant of God (4:18; 2:12). Blind in the heart (4:18; 2Cor. 4:4). Past feeling (4:19; 2:12). Lustful (4:19; Gal. 5:19). Unclean (4:19; Gal. 5:19). Greedy (4:19; 5:3; 2Cor. 6:10).

Being self-absorbed in one’s mind will cause your understanding to darken so as not to be able to understand God’s Word or to live according to His light. Being alienated from the life of God through ignorance means that one is not prepared to study God’s Word to get to know Him (Php. 1:9) and that causes ignorance in His truth and commands and in what it means to be a true follower of Christ (1Pet. 2:21-23; 1Jn. 3). Because of the blindness of one’s heart, you will be past feeling [have no care] and given over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness which means that they will have no care for any basic Godly moral standards and will only live in sin, defilement and for self-gain.

‘Being alienated from the life of God.’ Jesus came to give us the Truth, the Way and the Life so that we can follow in His footsteps (1Pet. 2:21-23) and know everything that there is to know about the life of God and His plan for us as it is revealed – NOT HIDDEN – in the Word.

‘Work’ [Greek: ergasia] meaning regular occupation, craft for gain. This shows they gave themselves to the sins of Ephesians 4:17-19.

From Galatians 5:19-21 we are warned about the seventeen works of the flesh that will cause one to NOT inherit the kingdom of God: Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, sorcery, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness and revellings.

Speaking the Truth in Love

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Ephesians 4:15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplies, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, make increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. 

‘But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ.’ The truth recommended by Paul is the whole gospel which centres around Christ and building the body of Christ into a working unit to throw off all error or waste to sustain itself like the human body (4:15-16).

In 1Corinthians 12:13-30 we see a brief description of the body of Christ and the members’ roles described. All that is in Christ make up the body of Christ (2:19-22; 4:1-6; Col. 1:18, 24). 1Corinthians 12:13 explains that “by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body.” This shows how the body of Christ is constituted. The Spirit is the agent that brings one into the body of Christ by the new birth. This is not a baptism into the Spirit, but into the body of Christ. The body here is the element one is baptized into. The Spirit is the agent that does the baptizing into the body. The believer is the candidate. If it were the Spirit baptism, Christ would be the agent and the Holy Spirit would be the element baptized into.

If Christians would seek to please God in whatever part they are to have in Christian congregations or the body of Christ there would be no confusion or strife about anyone’s service to God’s glorification (1Cor. 10:31).

The Perfecting of the Saints

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Ephesians 4:12-14 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive

‘For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.’ There are seven duties noted here of N.T. ministers: To perfect the saints (4:12). All the work of the ministry (4:12). To edify the body of Christ (4:12). To unify people in the faith (4:13). To unify people in doctrine (4:13). To perfect Christians in Christ (4:13). To bring people to maturity in Christ (4:13). Christians must be brought to the height of the gospel standard and the unlimited promises of God. The measure of the stature of the fullness is seldom mentioned much less demonstrated, while the stature of littleness, emptiness, and powerlessness of Christianity is often emphasized and demonstrated.

‘Perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.’ This is the 7th New Testament prophecy in Ephesians (4:12-13) being fulfilled. The Greek word teleios means that which has reached maturity (Matt. 5:48; 1Cor. 2:6; Php. 3:15).

‘That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro.’ Seven blessings of perfection: Maturity – no longer children (4:14). Established in the faith – no longer of doubtful mind or tossed to and fro like the waves (4:14; Jas. 1:5-8). Rooted and grounded in truth – no longer carried about by winds of doctrine (3:17; 4:14; John 8:32-36; Col. 2:6-7; 2Pet. 1:12). Freedom from deception – able to discern truth from error (4:14; 2Tim. 2:15; Heb. 5:11-14; John 8:32-36). The ability to speak the truth in love (4:15; Rom. 15:14; Col. 3:16). Constant growth in spiritual things (4:15; 1Pet. 2:2; 3:18). Harmony with all others in Christ (4:16; 2Cor. 1:10; 13:11).

‘Wind of doctrine’ – Evil teaching of the prince of the power of the air (2:2; 1Tim. 4:1; 2Cor. 4:4).

‘Sleight’ [Greek: kubeia] cube. It refers to loaded dice against which no man can win. Those who play around with false doctrines cannot win eternal life.

‘Cunning craftiness’ [Greek: panourgia] cheating and subtlety. It signifies the art and wiles of the devil to destroy souls by fallacy (4:14; 27; 6:11; 1Tim. 4:1; 2Cor. 4:4; Matt. 13:19). It refers to the systematizing of error and making it such a perfect counterfeit of truth that only those who are experienced in truth can detect it.

‘Lie in wait to deceive’ – False teachers lie in wait to catch ignorant souls by their fallacies.

And He Gave Some… Part 2

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Ephesians 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers

Five kinds of ministers continued: [3] Evangelists. [Greek: euangelistes] a bringer of glad tidings. Used of those spreading the gospel during the New Testament period as Christ commanded the apostles and disciples to do (Matt. 28:19) until all had access to the written Word of God. [4] ‘Pastors’ [Greek: poimen]. Translated “pastor” only here, but “shepherd” 16 times (Matt. 9:36; 25:32; 26:31; Mark 6:34; 14:27; Luke 2:8-20; John 10:2-16; Heb. 13:20; 1Pet. 2:25). The Hebrew: ra‛ah to tend a flock is translated “pastor” 8 times (Jer. 2:8; 3:15; 10:21; 12:10; 17:16; 22:22; 23:1-2) and “shepherd” 63 times. God, Christ, and men are called “shepherds” (4:11; Ps. 23:1; 80:1; Ezek. 34:1-23; Zech. 13:7; Heb. 13:20; 1Pet. 2:25). [5] Teachers. [Greek: didaskalos] translated master 47 times in the Gospels, 40 times of Christ. Translated “doctor” in Luke 2:46 and “teacher” in John 3:2. Always “teacher” in the epistles, except in James 3:1.

Besides the above, ministers are called: ambassadors (2Cor. 5:20); angels (Rev. 1:20; 2:1); elders (1Tim. 5:17; 1Pet. 5:1); fishers of men (Matt. 4:19; Mark 1:17); labourers (1Thess. 3:2); men of God (Deut. 33:1; 1Tim. 6:11); lights (Matt. 5:14; John 5:35); messengers (2Cor. 8:23; Mal. 2:7); ministers (2Cor. 3:6; 6:4; Rom. 15:16); overseers (Acts 20:28); preachers (Rom. 10:14; 1Tim. 2:7); servants (Tit. 1:1; Jude 1:1; Jas. 1:1); soldiers (Php. 2:25; 2Tim. 2:3-4); stewards (Tit. 1:7; 1Pet. 4:10); watchmen (Isa. 62:6; Ezek. 33:7); witnesses (Acts 1:8; 5:32; 26:16); workers (2Cor. 6:1); stars (Rev. 1:20; 2:1).

Ministering to others is not any individual’s priority. The Word of God (Ps. 119; Luke 8) and the Holy Spirit (John 16:8) will lead sinners to God and convict them, that is not our calling. Jesus Christ will be the only teacher one will ever need (Matt. 23:8,10) and the Holy Spirit will teach us His words, His gospel, His truth and life (John 14:26; 15:26). We must take what we learn from God’s Word for ourselves and allow Him to bring all necessary changes (Php. 1:6) as we grow as Christians to become faithful in self-denial and holy in living. The most faithful self-denial and holy living may, for a time, seem unfruitful – through no fault of the believer, but because of conditions on earth. Those who labour must learn to do as Christ did – commit themselves and their work to God’s glory, and toil on in faith. God assumes responsibility for salvation and keeps men free on condition of meeting His terms of repentance and holy living (Luke 13:1-5; Col. 2:6-7; Heb. 12:14-15; 1Jn. 1:7-9; 2:29; 3:5-10; 5:1-4, 18).