The Cost Of The Ministry God Has Given You

But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.  - Acts 20:24

I have mentioned this before - God has a plan and a purpose for every Christian. A specific plan and purpose. A plan and purpose of spiritual significance. He is really not interested in your material wealth, earthly success, or notoriety among men - the mortal side of your existence. What He is interested in is showing the world Jesus through the lives of His adopted sons and daughters - you and me - the immortal side of our existence.

Serving God in the immortal may well cost you something on the mortal side.  We like to think that becoming a Christian will somehow make our natural lives easier - pain free even. But that is not Biblical.

And another of the disciples said to Him, “Lord, allow me first to go and bury my father.” But Jesus *said to him, “Follow Me, and let the dead bury their own dead. - Matthew 8:21-22

Another also said, “I will follow You, Lord; but first permit me to say goodbye to those at my home.”  But Jesus said to him, “No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God. - Luke 9:61-62

If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. - Luke 14:26

Following God must be the priority in our lives - even to the point of abandoning our earthly affections. Understanding that when we are born again by the Spirit - our primary perspective and priorities must be in the context of our new life.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. - 2 Corinthians 5:17

In other words - our affections must change. Think about the greatest commandment.

And behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tested Him, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” He said to him, “What is written in the law? What is your reading of it?” So he answered and said, “‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,’ and ‘your neighbor as yourself.’ ”And He said to him, “You have answered rightly; do this and you will live.” - Luke 10:25-28

So if you are loving God with your "ALL" that means you are not to love the things of this world more than God. It also means that your spiritual affection will be challenged by the desires of your old nature. But the word of God is clear.

Someone said the other day that our priorities should be - God - Family - Work - Ministry - Self. I think that ministry must be moved up after God and before Family - how I love my family is part of the ministry that God has given me. Starting with my wife first. Everything that follows God must be born out of my love for Him.

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.  And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever. - 1 John 2:15-17

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone