"I know this because I AM A MAN UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF OTHER MEN. AND I HAVE SOLDIERS UNDER MY AUTHORITY. I tell one soldier, ‘Go,’ and he goes. And I tell another soldier, ‘Come,’ and he comes. And I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and my servant obeys me.”
Luke 7:8 (Easy-to-Read Version)
1 Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and also took Titus with me.
2 AND I went up by revelation, and COMMUNICATED to them that GOSPEL which I PREACH among the GENTILES, BUT privately to THOSE who were of REPUTATION, LEST BY ANY MEANS I MIGHT RUN, or HAD RUN, IN VAIN."
Galatians 2:1,2 (NKJV)
• About our text, the above Bible passage, Galatians 2:1,2, Apostle Paul said, he went up to Jerusalem to communicate or share the Gospel he was preaching among the Gentiles, with those who were of reputation; to confirm that he had not run, or labour, in vain.
- In other words, If those who were ahead of him, whom he shared the Revelation which he claimed to receive from Christ Jesus with (Galatians 1:11,12), refused to attest or agree with what he had been doing, It means all his work or labour among the Gentiles would amount to a waste.
- It is the part of church pattern, or tradition, or a way of doing things, that whoever claim to have received a Revelation, or a vision, or a calling; that such should receive a validation or an approval, so to speak, from those who have been ahead of him or her in the work.
- Paul wanted to be sure that he had received right. That his teaching might not be considered to be heretic.
- This is where the issue of relationship, or Submission, to someone for mentoring or apprenticeship comes in.
- This principle is biblical and it is good for whoever is just starting or the up and coming One in the Ministry work. HOWEVER, the principle has been abused or bastardized by some people.
a. They have used it to manipulate and control the lives of some others who sincerely submitted to them for mentoring.
b. They, such mentors, would want those who submitted to them to do their bidding or wishing, even when that is contrary to what God had instructed the person to do; the mentee, or the protege, or the apprentice, who submitted to them.
c. Such mentors had taken an advantage of those who sincerely submitted to them, to learn about the work, the assignment given to them by God—how to go by it.
• Relationship in life and ministry could be a plus, If you find yourself in the right one. If you are in a right relationship which is ordained by God, it would add to you—cause you to have a better result.
- That said, the greatest relationship which whoever is being used of God or the would-be-leader should have is, the relationship and fellowship with God.
- Although the relationship with other people, humans, could be necessary and needful for the learning and the activation of your goals in life.
• What is the Relationship?
- In a simple term: Contacts and interactions between people of like interest—is called Relationships.
- It is also a mutual dealings, connections, or feelings that exist between two parties, people, or whatever. To relate means to be in touch, to contact, and to be involved with one and other, in the matters of life and Ministry.
- Right Relationship is crucial, vital and needful, to realize your goals and objectives in life. Whilst a wrong relationship could be detrimental; devastating, heart-breaking, dream killing, and vision destroying.
- A relationship would either make you or break you, no relationship would leave you neutral or the same (Genesis 13:14,15).
• Note:
I. A wrong relationship is detrimental to your progress and success in life and Ministry.
- A wrong relationship could break you altogether, regardless of your giftedness, your expertise, and the divine grace.
- If you actually wanted to be blessed, and retained or kept or perpetuate your blessings; Then the responsibility is on you to make quality choices of relationships.
- Someone who keeps a good company would not run dry. Such would not wither. He would constantly be refreshed, and experienced Fulfilment (Psalm 1:1-3).
- Any confidential talk you had with an unbeliever, or a believer who lives in the flesh, would be a trap in disguise.
a. A wrong relationship could give an access to the devil, to tamper with your life, both the present and the future. Thus, do not give a place to the devil (Ephesians 4:27), by allowing a wrong person in your life (1 Corinthians 15:33). b. A wrong relationship could even rob you of your place in God's eternal Kingdom. - The choice of the company you keep is your responsibility. No relationship could take place without the agreement of the parties involved (Amos 3:3).
II. Whilst any right relationship is meant or supposed to result in progress.
- This is the acid test for the right choice. A wood would not sharpen an iron, so any iron that relates with a Wood, becomes blunt and the Wood also suffers reduction in size—it is chopped off. An Iron can only sharpens another iron (Proverbs 27:17).
- None of the parties involved in a wrong relationship profited in any way.
• A Relationship with someone higher than you in the work of Ministry. This is a type of master-servant Relationship.
a. This was found in the Ministry of Elijah, he mentored Elisha, and the latter eventually collected double portions of the Anointing on him (1 Kings 19:16,19-21; 2 Kings 2:1-15).
b. The Similar case is found in the Ministry of Paul; he mentored, Timothy, Titus, and some others (Acts 16:1-3; 1 Timothy 1:2,3; 2 Timothy 3:10,11; Titus 1:4,5).
c. Above all, It was found in the earthly Ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ, He trained and mentored the twelve disciples, who later became the twelve Apostles of the Lamb (Mark 3:13-15; John 20:21).
- Thus, relating with someone who is higher than you in the Ministry work is biblical, but in some quarters, It has been abused.
• You will not fail in Jesus' name.
- Should there be any ailment in your body, I declare your healing now in Jesus' name.
- The Hold of sicknesses and diseases is broken in your life in Jesus' name.
Peace!
TO BE CONTINUED
• Take notice of this:
IF you are yet to take the step of salvation, that is, yet to be born-again, do it now, tomorrow might be too late (2 Corinthians 6:1,2; Hebrews 3:7,8,15).
a. Acknowledge that you are a sinner and confess your Sins (1 John 1:9); And ask Jesus Christ to come into your life (Revelation 3:20).
b. Confess that you believe in your heart that Jesus Christ is Lord, and that you confess it with your mouth, Thus, you accept Him As your Lord and Saviour (Romans 10:9,10).
c. Ask that He will write your name in the Book of Life (Philippians 4:3; Revelation 3:8).
- If you took the steps As highlighted above, It means you are saved—born-again. Join a Word based church in your area and town, and be part of whatever they are doing there. Peace!