“And he gave the apostles, the
prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for
the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ...” Ephesians 4:11-12
In a technologically advanced society, we are accustomed to
having “it” our way, in our timing, and with little effort from us. Our knowledge, expertise, and machinery fortunately
have resulted in an affluent, efficient, and industrious populace. Yet, an unforeseen byproduct has been a slothful
attitude toward life and labor. Past generations
have had to toil and labor in order to have the purchasing power that so many obtain
today with ease.
This languid approach has not been limited to society in
general, but has found its way inside the four walls of the church. Many are searching for the easy, stress-free approach
to God. If a pastor can just give them a
quick devotion or point them to a short study, then they can easy overhaul
their spiritual side and get on with living.
The scriptures, in 2 Timothy 4:3, articulates it this way, “For the time
is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears
they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions.”
As a God-Called man, I want to plead with each Christ-follower
to recall the words of Paul as he wrote to the church at Ephesus. First let us consider that God, so loving and
so kind, gave each and every body of believers a God-called man to spearhead
the body. He is to be the one that stand
in the forefront and is the driving force behind all the church does. Yet, he is not… get this brothers and sisters…
he is not to be the whole spear. For,
you see, God gave the leader to the church to equip the saints for the work of
ministry and to build up the body. Let
each of us forgo a leisurely, lethargic faith.
Let each of us look to the leadership to be spiritual trainer in our
spiritual body building regiment.