8 GOSPEL MINISTERS & 17 CHURCH WORKERS IN HELL
PART 11
2. KNOWING WHAT GOD HAS CALLED YOU TO DO
We are given specific works to do on earth, and it is very important we do them the way God wants us to do them. There are Christians, whom God has given a particular work to do for Him but because of the challenges surrounding them, they abandoned the work which God has given them to do and joined those who are performing signs and wonders in their ministries. Such Christians are risking their rewards in eternity. When a Christian has left what he was called to do which has great reward in eternity and is doing a different thing altogether, he will not have a good reward no matter the reason for his actions.
Again, there are Christians whom God asked to be going to hospitals and be praying for the sick that are there. But because they have seen that hospital ministration is not a money-making venture, they abandoned it and have resorted to be moving from pulpit to pulpit in the name of evangelism. Instead of going from one hospital to the other praying for the sick, God will require from their hands the blood of the sick ones who died in their illness.
The majority of those who had the calling of God upon their lives for a specific task has taken up a full-time pastoral work, which they have become full-time pastors of churches. God is disappointed in those preachers whom He called to be pastors but they abandoned it and opened a prayer ministry. This may be as a result of the challenges they were having in the church, or some other reasons which may best be known to them. Some would say that God understands the reasons for their actions. We agree that God understands the reasons for their actions, but the question is, does God approve of their reasons and actions because the wisdom of God is higher than the wisdom of men. One cannot be doing a different thing from the wisdom of men. One cannot be doing a different thing from what one is called to do, and be expecting good rewards from God. For God gives rewards according to the work we have done for Him.
Beloved do exactly what God called you to do, and don’t worry about how you will survive in this world. God who has called you will never let you beg for food. The Bible says, “So don’t worry about these things, saying what shall we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear? These things dominate the thought of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs, seek the kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need. He will surely satisfy your selfless needs.” (Matthew 6:31-33 NLT)
So, when you do what God wants you to do, you will not struggle in life. He will open many ways for you. Although you may not have all you need at the moment, be patient knowing that God will not fail to provide for your needs. He will certainly fulfill His promise to you. Do not be deceived by what people are telling you. Do exactly what you were asked to do. Some people will tell you that you are stupid for doing things the way God has asked you. They may tell you all sorts of things that will upset you or weigh you down. Then in such a situation, all you have to do is to turn deaf ears to them and keep your mind focused on what you are doing. Even if you are reproached never mind. God must surely reward you abundantly. When you are doing something that is the will of God and nobody criticizes you for it, go back to God to know whether you are doing exactly what He asked you to do. For no good work is done without criticism.
Doing what God has not called you to do will make you lose the position in the Lord. Some ministers of the gospel have lost their spiritual positions because they were much interested in making themselves known in the society by the miracles they perform. And which has made them introduce diabolical powers into their ministries. They did this to be seen as powerful before men, but God knows those who are His and all who belong to the Lord must turn away from evil. (2 Timothy 2:19 NLT)
So, while you do the work of God, keep your heart pure, your mind clear, your hand clean and your eyes steadily focused on God knowing that in due time, He will reward you abundantly.
3. MIND YOUR WORDS
It is not what you think but what you say that matters and how you say it that matters most. What you say may give people a thought but how you say it may hurt them. It is expected of us to consider the impact our words will make on peoples’ lives, whether they will be positive or negative, before speaking them out. The Bible says, “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.” (Proverb 25:11 KJV)
Our words should bring RELIEF, COURAGE AND COMFORT.
“Some people make cutting remarks, but the words of the wise bring healing.” (Proverb 12:18 NLT)
It is unfortunate that some Christians do not know how to use words rightly. They failed to understand that words have effects by the way they are spoken. And those words become more efficient when they are spoken wrongly. They have not understood that words can make or mar one’s destiny. Words can give life and they can also destroy it.
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.” (Proverb 18:21 KJV)
Words are capable of hurting feelings. I have been able to find out that some believers who backslid did not do so because of what they were going through. No, but because of what somebody – who they had expected to encourage and comfort them on what they were going through – told them. When somebody backslid, died and went to Hell, do you think that the person who contributed to his backsliding will be of his or her blood? No, he won’t be! Because he cannot contribute to somebody’s destruction and be expecting to be considered guiltless.
It is written, “For time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it must begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God. And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and sinner appear?” (1 Peter 4:16-18 KJV)
Therefore you ought to be careful about how you use your words on people. Abusive words are destructive and pleasant words are appealing.
“A gentle answer deflects anger but harsh word makes tempers flare.” (Proverb 15:1 NLT)
Any comment you think it doesn’t matter, matters a lot before God. Hence unpleasant and abusive words that are carelessly or intentionally spoken have reward which will be given on the judgment day.
Jesus said, “But I say unto you, that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the Day of Judgment.” (Matthew 12:36 KJV)
Some souls had gone to Hellfire because of careless words that someone had used on them. You ought to learn how to control your tongue. Bridle it for your tongue will control you to an extent that you may find yourself behind the police bar or in the grave where your body will become sand while your soul will be suffering in Hellfire.
The Bible says, “Whoso keepeth his mouth and tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.” (Proverbs 21:23 KJV)
Your words can put you into trouble if you fail to use them rightly and wisely. But if you use your words carefully, you will have peace in your life.
In Proverb 13:3 (KJV), we see this statement, “He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life; but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.”
The tongue is one of the smallest parts of the body but its strength can destroy a nation without any sophisticated weapon. The tongue is very strong, use it wisely! Control your emotions. Don’t overreact on offenses for it is the devil’s STRATEGY TO FIGHT YOU. However, let the Holy Spirit take control of the period so as to bring glory to God at last. The Bible says, “Don’t sin by letting anger control you. Think about it overnight and remain silent.” (Psalms 4:4 NLT)
ARE YOU PREPARED FOR THE COMING OF OUR LORD? IT IS ONLY THOSE THAT ARE PREPARED THAT HE WILL TAKE.
No comments:
Post a Comment