“But from those who seemed to be something—WHATEVER THEY WERE, IT MAKES NO DIFFERENCE TO ME; GOD SHOWS PERSONAL FAVOURITISM TO NO MAN—FOR THOSE WHO SEEMED TO BE SOMETHING ADDED NOTHING TO ME.”
Galatians 2:6 (NKJV)
• Do not be perturbed, anxious or worried, because of whatever someone else is doing in the ministry. The results of another person in the ministry should not alarm you!
- Paul remained focus. He did not allow those who claimed to be something, and those whom they called the most eminent apostles, to distract him (Galatians 2:6; 1 Corinthians 11:5).
WHATEVER they were, it makes no difference to him! - He knew that God is not partial. He does not show favouritism to any Man (Romans 2:11; Galatians 2:6).
- He was secure, He was himself.Many ministers are not secure because they do not know the Grace of God on their lives.
- Note: Through insecurity some ministers have hindered other ministers' programmes from being a success.
- Some ministers have denied, or refused to extend a right hand of fellowship to visiting or travelling Teachers and Evangelists, because of insecurity.
- “I wrote to the church about this, but Diotrephes, who loves to be the leader, REFUSES TO HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH US.
- When I come, I will report some of the things he is doing and the evil accusations he is making against us. NOT ONLY DOES HE REFUSE TO WELCOME THE TRAVELING TEACHERS [ministers], HE ALSO TELLS OTHERS NOT TO HELP THEM. AND WHEN THEY DO HELP, HE PUTS THEM OUT OF THE CHURCH.
- Dear friend, DON'T LET THIS BAD EXAMPLE INFLUENCE YOU. Follow only what is good. Remember that those who do good prove that they are God’s children, AND THOSE WHO DO EVIL PROVE THAT THEY DO NOT KNOW GOD.”
3 John 9-11 (NLT)
• Some Church leaders have fought tooth and nail to stop a visiting Evangelist, Teacher, or Missionary, from accomplishing the purpose of their coming.
- The truth is: If you assist and support someone else to fulfil his or her God-given vision, it does not reduce you, it rather increases you and brings God’s blessings on you and your ministry.
- God will make happen for you whatever you make happen for or against others: "KNOWING THAT WHATEVER GOOD ANYONE DOES, HE WILL RECEIVE THE SAME FROM THE LORD, whether he is a slave or free" (Ephesians 6:8).
“Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; FOR WHATEVER A MAN SOWS, THAT HE WILL ALSO REAP."
Galatians 6:7 (NKJV)
- “Dear friend, YOU ARE BEING FAITHFUL TO GOD WHEN YOU CARE FOR THE TRAVELING TEACHERS WHO PASS THROUGH, EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE STRANGERS TO YOU.
- They have told the church here of your loving friendship. PLEASE CONTINUE PROVIDING FOR SUCH TEACHERS IN A MANNER THAT PLEASES GOD.
- FOR THEY ARE TRAVELING FOR THE LORD, and they accept nothing from people who are not believers.
- SO WE OURSELVES SHOULD SUPPORT THEM SO THAT WE CAN BE THEIR PARTNERS AS THEY TEACH THE TRUTH.”
3 John 5,7,8 (NLT)
• Whatever anyone is doing for the Lord should not disturb or intimidate you.
- If another person's work or ministry is making you uncomfortable, it means you are insecure.
- A secure Minister will not be moved or alarmed by someone else's result.
WE are called by God to complement each other, not to compete and contend with one another.
• Paul said:
- “But on the contrary, WHEN THEY SAW THAT THE GOSPEL FOR THE UNCIRCUMCISED HAD BEEN COMMITTED TO ME, AS THE GOSPEL FOR THE CIRCUMCISED WAS TO PETER.
- (for He who worked effectively in Peter for the apostleship to the circumcised also worked effectively in me toward the Gentiles),
- and when James, Cephas [Peter], and John, who seemed to be pillars, PERCEIVED THE GRACE that had been given to me, THEY GAVE ME AND BARNABAS THE RIGHT HAND OF FELLOWSHIP, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised.”
Galatians 2:7-9 (NKJV)
• God has deposited different GRACE in every minister.
- Like Paul said in the above passage, you have to discover the Grace God has given or deposited in you.
YOU should know your audience, those whom God has sent you. You are not sent to everybody!
PETER was sent to the circumcised while Paul was sent to the uncircumcised—the Gentiles (Galatians 2:7,8).
WHEN you discover this, you will be secured and unperturbed about the results and whatever anyone may be doing (Galatians 2:9).
• When the leaders of the early Church; James, Cephas [Peter], and John, who are considered the pillars of the Church, perceived the Grace that God has given Paul, they gave him and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship.
WHAT they did, THEIR actions proved, or meant they are mature and secure. They were not intimidated by what Paul and Barnabas were doing among the Gentiles.
- If someone has the Grace to do something which you cannot do well, then wisdom demands that you support, Give the right hand of fellowship to such: “In his grace, GOD HAS GIVEN US DIFFERENT GIFTS FOR DOING CERTAIN THINGS WELL. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you" (Romans 12:6 NLT).
- There is no minister that has it all, thus we need each other to build the Church of Christ, the whole body of Christ on earth.
- Acknowledging that someone is gifted and talented than you do, in a particular area of ministry, is not a weakness.
- The area where you are Strong, the other person might not be Strong there, and vice versa.
- Ministers and believers in general should stop this rat race that ended in a hole: "We won't dare compare ourselves with those who think so much of themselves. BUT THEY ARE FOOLISH TO COMPARE THEMSELVES WITH THEMSELVES" (2 Corinthians 10:12 CEV).
- Wish other people well, support and be part of other people's progress and success, therein your greatness lies.
• You will not fail in Jesus' name.
Peace!
TO BE CONTINUED