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NASB | 2 Timothy 2:15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | 2 Timothy 2:15 Study and do your best to present yourself to God approved, a workman [tested by trial] who has no reason to be ashamed, accurately handling and skillfully teaching the word of truth. |
Bible Question: I was ordained by a mainstream Christian church when I was 17. God chooses who HE wants to minister for HIM, not man. Each is called according to God's purpose. I WAS called at a VERY young age. I was brought up by an atheist family yet I spoke DIRECTLY to the Lord when I was 4 years old and from then on I walked with the Lord. Some things are self-evident. I have been tested and proved to be worthy, not because of any greatness in me but because His Spirit dwells in me. The truth is that my life has been lived completely in service to the Lord. I LOVE THE LORD JESUS CHRIST WITH AN UNDYING HEART. And in this I know I am accountable to only HIM. I live ONLY for HIM. God calls, God chooses--not man. |
Bible Answer: ourfathersheart: I am not so bold as to tell you that God did not call you as a "minister" (my word which carries a better discription is "sevvant"). I am wondering how you heard the the LORD directly speek to you. Was it in a voice as you and I have or an inner voice? I do not doubt the Lord God Almighty does speak, I do like to hear how different people hear the LORD. My personal belief is that to ordain a seventeen year old is a serious error. I mean no offense, but how did you prove that your walk in the Lord was firmly established? Did you have sufficant knowledge of Scripture to understand and communicate election, predestition, and so on and so forth? What "mainstream Christian Church" ordained you, if you feel you would be willing to say? I am not challenging any church that wants to ordain someone. I do believe that ordaination is a very special confermation by the Church of the call of God on the person being ordained. I do believe in the priesthood of the believer and the church body in which a person belongs to. However, the call of and ordaination of a person by a church does not mean that others will agree with a persons servanthood until others see a life that clearly shows the person has been called to serve others in Christ Jesus. Would you not agree? You have not said how old you are now, and to assume how long ago you were 17 would be unwise. How long age was your ordaination? My belief is one should be Spiritually, emotionally, and mentlally sound, and solid, and only time allows for this experience. One area I do find fault in your statement is that you are indeed accountable to more than God! Let me assure you are responsible to those whom you minister (serve) to. You understanding that God calls and chooses, is right to a point. Without the recognization of the church body that you have a true call from God, then a call is not validated, and thus the call may be of ones personal feelings rather than a true call of God. In other words the body of believers confirms the call of God. Would you agree with this? I know of where I speak in these matters, not by just reading or watching, but by experience. I was ordained by the Southern Baptist Church I served as Pastor while in Seminary. I later served an Americam Baptist Church, which had more requirements for my ordaination to be acceptable for this denomination, and they wanted a detailed statement of my theology from creation to the end times, and everything inbewteen! There was a time of mentoring and further seminary classes required. I am confident that this was a time of growth and proving not only to my fellow servants, but to myself as well. I feel I aam still accountable to those who comfirmed my servanthood, and to the Lord who directed my path. The call of God to become a servant, for me has not been a path of glory for me, the reality is the walk of faith is a rough path, and it's not a path for those who are faint at heart, or for those seek to be praised, or to be served. I have observed that few are the pastors who visit in the peoples homes, go to the sick or visit those in jail. "Minister" is not a title, this word describes a person who is willing to become a slave to Christ and a servant to humankind. I would be interested in your thoufgts. Blessings. justme |