Working In The Reformation

In order for the men and women of God to be successful in the ministry they must first grow-up in the grace God has given. They must discern the trials and tests God has allowed in their walk. Do we continue to lay the foundation for repentance from dead works, or the doctrines of baptisms and the laying on of hands? I think not. It is time to go to work. We can talk about the five-fold ministry or the many gifts of the Spirit, but the truth of the matter is, every ministry starts at home.

MINISTRY STARTS AT HOME

I remember when prayer was taken out of the schools in America. After the fact, Christians began to complain and protest, but in reality, this should have had very little effect on the children coming from Christian homes. If prayer had been initiated in the home, then it would be in the hearts of children to pray in any environment. They would secretly and perhaps frequently talk to their Father all during the day.

It is a fact that the five-fold ministry and all gifts of the Spirit were given to the Body of Christ without regard for gender. Therefore, women are called to serve the Body just as men are. However, we must not forget that there is also a call in the home. This is the first responsibility given to the wife and the husband.

The world we live in today has taken the mother out of the home and into the work force. Nevertheless, it is the natural order of the God-given family structure, for the mother to raise the children and oversee the workings of the home. The character of your children begins to be formed within the context of their home life. It is the responsibility of the mother to establish a righteous environment for the grooming of the offspring.

Ephesians 5:1

1Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;

Whether you are single or married with children, the burden of revealing Christ is upon you. Whether in the home, or in the streets, there is always someone watching you. When the Lord allows others to come into your established environment what do they encounter? Is it Christ, or is it the world they visit. The scripture instructs us to follow God as little children. You must reverence the Father’s presence in your life. He should be the master of your environment. All that you establish should be with regard for His disposition. Your home or your little space in a home should reflect your relationship with God.

TO FOLLOW GOD IS TO OBEY AND DO AS HE INSTRUCTS. Many saints are frustrated because they are not sure as to what the Lord would have them to do, but we are told to follow. This simply means that He is going to lead us to a place of servitude that glories Him. Now the problem seems to be a misunderstanding of what is meant by “the leading of God.”

You might be waiting for God to lead you into the five-fold ministry or the use of some other spiritual gift, but you may have missed the fact that He was always taking you to a place of servitude, but you would not follow. Perhaps you were waiting for a formal calling into a place of ministry, but the fact is God has not only led you into situations that required a revelation of Christ to come forth but has also brought people into your territorial sphere of influence that needed Him as well.

Moreover, it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful (I Corinthians 4:2). If you do not minister Christ to those in your daily environment, do not wait for God to use you in some formal calling or gift. You must be faithful over small things before He will make you lord over larger things. He must be able to trust that ministry is your life, not a job you are waiting to be hired for.

Ephesians 5:2

2And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savour.

Your environment should be a place of love and self-sacrifice. Whether in the home, on the job, or in the church, you should be a creature of love. The people around you, especially your children, learn love by watching what you do and listening to what you say. Be not deceived, people are able to discern love and true concern for them.

LOVE IS SACRIFICIAL. It is unselfish and holds the spiritual and natural welfare of others in high regard. But it is not selective. It offers the same to all, just as Christ died for the sins of the whole world.

There is no ministry without love. All that is done without love being the motivating factor is vain. Love is the only emotion that ministers to others. It is the emotion that brings about a change in others. If your disposition is not one of love, then neither is the environment you have established. Regardless of what your situation is at home or on the job, you are the one God has equipped to make a difference.

Ephesians 5:3-5

3 But fornication, (whether in the bed or the imagination) and all uncleanness, (from an unclean house or car, to masturbation) or covetousness, (discontentment and a continuous looking upon of things belonging to others) let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;

4 Neither filthiness, (from an unholy conversation to witchcraft) nor foolish talking, (debates and discussions that undermine Christ) nor jesting, (insults in the form or jokes) which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.

5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

We have been charged by God to reveal Christ within our territorial spheres of influence. It is important not to take of the things you allow to influence yourself and others. You must first clean your heart and mind of all unrighteousness before you are able to pour holiness into your environment. Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God (II Corinthians 7:1).

The Lord has thoroughly convinced me that our souls are at stake in all of this. You must take heed to what the Spirit is saying to the Body. God is looking at your life. He is discerning your commitment or lack of commitment to His Word. Consider this passage in Acts 13:46: Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.

Do not force the Lord to judge you (as He did the Jews) unworthy of the grace He has dispensed in your life. In doing so, He will pass you bye as He did them. He is looking for that saint who will be a light shining in the midst of darkness.

Ephesians 5:15-17

15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,

16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

It is a wise woman who builds her house in God. You have the ability to establish an environment that speaks of the presence of Christ Jesus. The days are evil, and the time must be redeemed by those who are committed to glorifying God in the earth.

Ephesians 5:11-12

11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.

12 For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.

You may want to think that you are innocent in these areas, but before you make such an assessment, take note of the things you watch on television. In fact, examine the things you allow your children to watch or listen to. Television is obviously one of the places where fellowship with the works of darkness takes place. The home is the place for shaping the character and depositing a value system. God has even said that it is possible for the unsaved husband to be won by the conversation or lifestyle of the sanctified wife. The women of God can see to it that the home reflects the influence of God.

WALK IN THE SPIRIT IN ALL THINGS. Clean your house of all that is not Christ. This is important. We cannot continue to overlook the fact that God continues to admonish us to cleanse our hearts and minds. In doing so, the holiness within will be reflected in your home and abroad.