Christ’s Ambassador

Jephthah’s call was not something you’d call supernatural when compared to Gideon’s, Barak’s and Samson’s but it was nonetheless supernatural. The people had gone apostate again and God sold them into the hands of the Philistines whose gods Israel had started worshipping. They cried to God and he heard them. “And the elders of Gilead said to one another, “who is the man who will begin the fight against the people of Ammon? He shall be head over all the inhabitants of Gilead” Judg 10:18. This is how God made Jephthah a Judge in Israel. Read the full story in Judges Chapter 11.

I am concerned with Jepthah’s vow here: And Jephthah made a vow to the Lord: If you give the Ammonites into my hands, whatever comes out of the door of my house to meet me when I return in triumph from the Ammonites will be the LORD’s, and I will sacrifice it as a burnt offering.“. (Judg 11:30,31 KJV). Why did the Lord’s anointed make a vow which caused him and his family sorrow afterwards? Surely, the resultant bitterness of heart was not in the plan of God whose blessing “makes one rich and he does not add sorrow to it” Prov 10:22. Here are a few suggestions as to why a typical Jephthah among us today might make such vows:

·        To show we are very religious

·        Trying to induce God to do our request

·        To try to earn/buy  God’s grace

·        Desperation

·        Bending to undue influence of others

These reasons and many more like them are elicited unbelief and ignorance of who God is. Vow is voluntary token or service pledged to God in anticipation of an answered prayer. It might also be a promise to abstain from something. It is preparation to receive, and never the reason for God’s blessings. In making a vow, we should plan carefully lest we become distraught at pay time.

Many Preachers presents a situation that looks like God is broke and in need of a bailout. Paul wrote this about them: “…their god is their stomach….” Phil 3:19. They readily quote Hannah’s vow in 1Sam 1:11. One fact they are missing is that Hannah’s prayer life had matured from the selfish to the selfless and, in her sufferings, her need and God’s became convergent.

At a typical Harvest thanksgiving or building fund-raising services for example, a lot of drama is enacted. After a gripping pulpit homily on giving, these tricksters might say something like “God just told me He wants to give embarrassing blessings to someone here. He needs people who could give one million naira to this building fund. Be on your feet if you are the one God is about to bless” Then, applause as ‘able’ brethren rise. “Eight hundred thousand!” the announcement goes again. This subtle pressure might go down steadily even to “one thousand naira!” Many who are pressured to pledge this way often lament like Jephthah at pay time “Alas, my daughter! You have brought me very low! You are among those who trouble me!….” Judg 11:35.

Jephthah accused his daughter wrongly. But in your own case, you would be at fault as much as the false teacher because you have not studied the word of God yourself to know the truth. In the kingdom of God, for tangible offerings and services, the principles of giving are:

1.   “Give and it will be given to you…… the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you” Lk 6:38,  

2.   “He who sows sparingly shall reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully shall also reap bountifully, so let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver” 2Cor 9:6,7

3.   “When you make a vow to God, do not delay in fulfilling it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow. It is better not to vow than to make a vow and not fulfill it. And do not protest to the temple messenger, “My vow was a mistake.” Why should God be angry at what you say and destroy the work of your hands?” Eccl 5:4,5

Why befoul your garments of righteousness with careless vows like Jephthah’s?

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The IBRU Centre, in the Guardian Newspapers edition of Sunday June 7 2009, featured articles on the views of prominent Clerics on the lingering issue of Part-time versus Full time service in Church.

After reading carefully the views of the clerics interviewed I wish to summarize here below some of the wrong assumptions both parties have made:

·        It is possible to serve God part-time;

·        People who have other forms of employment outside the church are not ‘working for God’ or doing ‘God’s work’ on that employment;

·        God’s work is only done in the Church and such places where the Bible is being expressly preached;

·        Professionals in other fields apart from Theology cannot effectively lead the flock of God in church and they are lay men/women

It is not surprising that there is no single line of scripture that supports these lines of thought since the Professional/Lay segregation is the doctrine of men (Mk7:7)

God is interested in all legitimate works since His Spirit enables all. He is happy when a Pastor teaches Biblical truth; when a Reporter tells the news with sound integrity; when a Judge gives justice; when a Policeman ensures the security and safety of lives and properties; when a Governor governs his people well; and when a housewife imbibes the virtues of the virtuous woman (Prov 31:10-31) in running her house.

For true believers, everyplace is a holy ground since we carry the Spirit of God in us. That also implies that whatever we do in speech and action, must be done in the name of Christ (Col 3:17). Every lawful work is holy work. When Christ gave the marching orders in Mt 28:19-20, he did not exclude the work places, but he said ‘Go ye into the world’.  I believe that where believers earn their daily bread are mission grounds where they are expected to be light of the world, telling and acting out the gospel message, and salt of the earth, giving meaning to this worldly confusion. Did Jesus the Carpenter do a secular work? 

The reality is that we all have different callings and different ministries. Some have been called to serve 24-7 in the churches while some have additional assignments in the fields of work. All are called and gifted by the same Spirit and are all going to give account of their stewardship. No work is secular per se. In the construction of the tent of meeting in the wilderness, God chose Bezaleel and Oholiab and taught them how to do the work as well as teach others (Ex 31:2-6). Their work was no less spiritual than that of Aaron who burnt incense at the altar. Again, in the parable of the vineyard workers, it was the privilege to serve in the vineyard of the Master that became the effective reward of the laborers and not the number of hours. The vineyard of the Master covers the whole Earth since the ‘Earth is the Lord’s’ (Ps 24:1) Daniel, Nehemiah, and Mordecai were civil servants who worked effectively for the advancement of the kingdom of God even on the Pagan soil of Babylon.

Paul the Apostle and tent-maker is well known. Yet, the Bible shows that Paul’s, by the grace of God, was the most outstanding ministry. These points should lay to rest the argument that ‘Part-time’ ministers are less effective, though in actual sense, I posit that there is no ‘part-time’ servant of God. We all are called to serve God 24-7. Rom 12:1 says in effect to: ‘Offer your whole life as a living sacrifice to God’ (Emphasis mine)

No matter who signs the salary cheque or gives the instructions, the Boss is Jesus, the giver of all good and perfect gifts and in whom all things are held together. Where and how you fulfill the call of God on your life is determined largely on the circumstances surrounding your call. Read Paul’s instructions to the Corinthian believers: “Each of you should go on living according to the Lord’s gift to you, and as you were when God called you. This is the rule I teach in all churches. 1Cor 7:17

The Clergy/Laity segregation is a hindrance and not Biblical. We cannot witness to the ‘fringes of the earth’ as instructed in Acts 1:8 if we all shy away from the workplaces where an average person spends more than half his lifetime, some of whom may never attend a church.

We speak of what we have seen and heard (1Jn1:3a). By the grace of God, ECWA Good News Church, Bassa, the local assembly of ECWA where I worship is six years now, waxing stronger everyday in number and in grace but without the ‘so called full-timers’ since inception. All Ministers and Elders, like Paul, have other vocations outside the church building and we lack nothing because the Lord is our Shepherd. (Ps 23:1)

For more about the empowerment of the Laity, visit www.thehighcalling.org

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‘For this is what the Sovereign LORD says: I myself will search for my sheep and look after them. As a shepherd looks after his scattered flock when he is with them, so will I look after my sheep. I will rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on a day of clouds and darkness. (Ezekiel 34:11-12)

Now behold, two of them were travelling that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was seven miles from Jerusalem and they talked together of all these things which had happened (Lk 24:13)

The 7-mile road to Emmaus began at the cross-roads of Unbelief in the outskirts of Jerusalem and ironically, this road was plied by Believers who were in the sundown of faith.

The first mile stretch was filled with potholes of sad stories of trials, betrayals, denials, persecutions, hardships, divorce, loneliness, sickness, economic crisis, self-righteousness, death and fear of death.

Down to Mile 2, the traveler was weighed down by dashed hope and depression, clear evidences of his unbelief. “We were hoping that it was he who was going to redeem Israel. Indeed, besides all this, today is the third day since these things happened” (Lk 24:21) each step taken westwards took him closer to the terminua of the rail line of faith.

Towards the end of Mile 3 he began to notice the houses by the road side were on the brink of collapse with foundations badly eroded. How come these houses were built on sand in the first place? He wondered aloud and this was another evidence of his forgetfulness. Did the Master not say “Whoever hears these words of mine and do not act on them shall be like a house built on sand…”?

The stretch between Mile 3 and Mile 4 was more difficult because the sun had receded into the clouds. He couldn’t see the road signs again. “Which Way leads to the Truth and the Life now”? What a sad question for a believer to ask.

Very close to Mile 5 he began to hear the faint voice of someone beckoning on him but he was far gone in his misery to even recognize the owner of the voice. He kept going but the gentle stranger, the Good Shepherd didn’t give up and the intensity of the voice increased.

Many occasions before they reached Mile 7, he tried to shake off this stranger but the more he tried, the more he got excited by the tale of love the stranger told in his ears: “Oh foolish [one] and slow of heart to belief in all the prophets have spoken! Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter His glory? And beginning at Moses and all the prophets He expounded to [him] in all the scriptures the things concerning himself” (Lk 24:25-27 emphasis mine). The traveler began to recollect this tale which he had heard before. How come he forgot it in the first place?

Then he realized that his journey to Emmaus was a wasted effort in a wrong and dangerous direction. He had backslidden: once put his hands on the plough and dared looked back. God have mercy! He made a decisive turn and with wings of eagles, flew back to Jerusalem where he found ‘the friend’ waiting for him still, telling the tale of love again and again.

Are you on a journey to ‘Emmaus’ because of trials? Have you lost your faith in God and His promises because they tarry? Fear not. Come back, Jesus is “calling for you” (Jn 11:28) May you be encouraged by this hymn titled ‘Jesus, My Savior to Bethlehem Came’ and composed by E.E. Hasty. Here I present the third stanza:

Jesus, my savior, the same as of old

While I was wand’ring in darkness and cold,

Gently and long did He plead with my soul,

Calling for me, for me!

Calling for me, for me,

Calling for me, for me;

Gently and long did He plead with my soul,

Calling for me, for me!

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If someone says “I love God” and hates his brother he is a liar; for he who does not his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? 1Jn4:20

I would say one point each that impresses me about Abraham and Eleazer respectively in their Master-Servant relationship. One, Abraham’s faith in God was so contagious that it rubbed off on his servant. Eleazer knew Abraham served a very Big God who “hears prayers and rewards those who seek Him diligently” not just because Abraham said it often but because he lived it. He walked the talk. So Eleazer himself sought the face of this God of Abraham in his time of need. Do you have a maid, driver, gardener, cook, laundry man, or other categories of staff under your authority? What have they learnt about your walk with God? What have you taught them about your God? Do you allow the fragrance of Christ to waft into their nostrils? Jesus says “You are the light of this world” Are you shining for the Lord in your household? Can your servants, like Eleazer, pray to “God of my master [your name]”? How you treat them and other members of your household will matter a lot in the opinions they form about your relationship with God. ‘Church-ianity’ will not do. Love is it.  Mark you, you would one day stand before the Lord to give account of how you nurture [or God forbid, fleeced] the faith of the flock of God under your shepherd’s rod.

Two, Eleazer learnt to know God through his diligence, love and faithfulness to his master Abraham (…for all his master’s goods were in his hand Gen 24:10b). If you do not love the brother you see, how can you love the God you have not seen? Can your master (employer) give you the kind of trust Abraham gave Eleazer without them regretting it? Although he is only mentioned as a footnote to the story of Abraham yet we know that God is not unjust to forget [anyone’s] labour of love… (Heb6:10a). Eleazer would definitely be more rewarded than the trust and love Abraham showed him in return for his being trustworthy. His acquired faith and holiness would make him to see God. How faithful are you to your master(s)? Have you realized that it does not matter who gives the instructions or who signs the paycheck, but your real boss is Jesus?  He is you exceedingly great reward. (Gen 15:1)  Now, there is nothing you can hide from Jesus, He knows all things (Ps 139:1-13). How man rates you on the job is not what matters at the end but how Jesus appraises you. Even if you are self-employed, so long as you do a legitimate job you are still ultimately employed by Jesus. He is interested in what you do to earn a living since through that, you collaborate with others to help build God’s kingdom. Your workplace and household form a large sector of your mission field as a disciple of Christ (Mt 28:18-20). Commit your works to the Lord and he will establish your thoughts. Prov 16:3

The fore-going is also applicable to every other relationship:

Mother-in-law/Daughter-in-law: Ruth knew God through Naomi, and she also loved and cared for Naomi in her old age. How do you relate to your in-laws?

Parent/child: Lois’ and  Eunice’s faith influenced Timothy their offspring (2Tim1:5) What legacy are you leaving to your children? Are you teaching them the way of the Lord? Teach a child the way he should go and when he grows, he would not depart from it. You children, remember the fifth commandment (Ex20:12)

Husband/Wife: Priscilla and Aquilla served together in the vineyard of God though they were tentmakers by profession. Wives, do you submit to your husbands? Husbands, do you love your wives as Christ loves the church? Are you always in agreement with your spouse concerning diligent service to God?

Shepherd/Flock: Christ, the good shepherd gave his life to save the church. Dear Pastors, GO’s, Deacons and Elders do you feed the sheep of God or fleece them? Are you a shepherd or hireling?

Friend/Friend: David and Jonathan remained faithful to one another till death despite the hostile environment surrounding their friendship. Are you a friend in need or a fair-weather friend?

Bachelor/Spinster: Joseph and Mary abstained from sexual intercourse because they weren’t married. God frowns at sex outside of marriage. “If any man thinks he is behaving improperly towards his betrothed, if she is past the flower of youth, and thus it must be, let him do what he wishes. He does not sin, let him marry. 1Cor7:36.

In all relationship: kindred, co-tenants, colleagues at work, brethren in church, business partners, team mates, the scriptures say “seek peace and pursue it”. “Shoulder one another’s burden” “Let us love one another, for love is of God, and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.(1Jn3:7)”

God started the first relationship and He is still in relationship with man and other spiritual beings. He watches your relationships with keen interest and one day, He will judge your conduct in relationship by the golden rule: Do unto others what you would want them to do to you. Conversely, do not do unto others what you would not want them to do to you.

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Have you ever prayed and before you finished prayers the thing started happening such that you knew the processes must have commenced long before you began praying? At such moments do you wonder if God was just a step ahead of you? To throw more light, let’s consider the prayer of Eleazer, Abraham’s servant in Gen 24:12-15.

Abraham sent Eleazer back to his native country to go and pick a wife for Isaac among his family members. So Eleazer got to the outskirts of the city and stopped by a well of water to pray:

 …. O LORD God of my master Abraham, I pray thee, send me good speed this day, and shew kindness unto my master Abraham. Behold, I stand [here] by the well of water; and the daughters of the men of the city come out to draw water. And let it come to pass, that the damsel to whom I shall say, Let down thy pitcher, I pray thee, that I may drink; and she shall say, Drink, and I will give thy camels drink also: [let the same be] she [that] thou hast appointed for thy servant Isaac; and thereby shall I know that thou hast shewed kindness unto my master. And it came to pass, before he had done speaking, that, behold, Rebekah came out, who was born to Bethuel, son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham’s brother, with her pitcher upon her shoulder.

Was Rebekah’s coming a quick response to Eleazer’s prayer? I think Rebekah’s timely appearance was God’s [exclusive] doing and He had meant to send her to the well at that particular time right from the foundation of the world. But the prayer was used by God to prepare Eleazer to recognize what God was about doing. Without that preparation, Eleazer might have missed it. This occurrence and such ones in our lives serve to teach us that God is love, and He is in absolute control of events and timing. If we draw close to God, He’d lay in our hearts His agenda and we’d pray more efficiently.  

The foregoing, of course, is not to say that all our prayers must have such automatic responses. There are occasions when we must pray hard and long. At such times we must allow the scripture to guide us lest we fall. God hears our groaning always. God is love. (1Jn4:8) Those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing” (Ps34:10b) He makes all things to work for the good of all who love Him, whom he has called according to his good purpose. (Rom8:28) The Lord’s hand is not shortened that it cannot save nor his ear heavy that it cannot hear but your iniquities have separated you from your God….(Is59:1,2) You ask and do not receive because you ask amiss that you may spend it on your pleasures. (Jas 4:3) To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven(Eccl 3:1) I encourage you to check back on all the time you have had delays getting answers to your prayers, you might find a reason for such delays within these scriptures. We must of course note that though God may wait until we pray very hard for certain things before He responds, yet our prayers can neither make Him to change His will nor influence Him to do what He never wanted to do. When He waits, things must wait and we must wait on Him. His “No” is also an answered prayer.

Faith comes by hearing. The Bible is written so that we may know the invisible God. Quite often, especially when we are in hard times, we fail to acknowledge the fact that God has His own plans and agenda for running affairs in this universe and our individual personal affairs are just integral parts of this agenda. God is concerned with the present and eternity but we are aware of only the recent past and present. But as infinitesimal as you may be compared to all God have put together in the universe, He says: “See, I have inscribed you on the palms of my hands….”(Isa49:16a) and so He cannot forget you. He has good plans for your life, and he is still at work on you.

Why are there so many ‘prayer contractors’ these days? My people perish for lack of knowledge. Many people believe the presence of God is more with certain people than others. This is a fallacy, spin-off of poor reasoning and teachings of men. (Mk 7:7) God’s presence is not fractionalized. God is not partial and he does not defer to man. He does whatever He wants. The criteria he listed for answered prayers are (1) Pray according to His will (2) Pray with faith (3) Abstain from sin, confess and repent if you have sinned (4) Forgive all who have offended you. (5)Pray in the name of Jesus. Whoever satisfies these will have the ears of God. I do not say this to discourage you from seeking prayer support of your Pastors or other brethren, we all need intercession of other brethren, but I want you to know that you have the same status with God (you are a child) as any Pastor, Bishop, Deacon or Evangelist. Don’t allow anyone to hoodwink and defraud you in the name of transferring anointing on you or helping you to seek the face of God. If you are paying somebody (in cash or kind) for prayers or anointing, you are selling your birthright.

You do well if you follow the example of the Bereans who, after listening to sermons and teachings, go back home to check their Scriptures prayerfully to confirm if these things are true or not. Don’t follow the footsteps of Esau. You are a redeemed child of God; not a beggar, so go to the throne of grace with faith and confidence.

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