Call to Witness

“He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant – not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life” (2 Corinthians 3:6).

Early in my personal ministry, I had already received God’s calling in my heart, spent many months, years reading His Word, and studying everything I could get my hands on. I enrolled in various Bible studies – I was hungry for more of Him. I had fallen deeply in love with Jesus, and He in turn gave me a deep love for His people. I sincerely felt His “call” for me to drop everything and to follow Him – to serve Him and those whom He considers precious to Him, but I didn’t feel worthy of such a calling. I was of the understanding that I wasn’t qualified to minister to anyone without a degree (a letter.) I thought I had to have a degree from some seminary. So, I hesitated to speak to those whom the Lord was putting before me – I instead referred them to speak to a pastor of a church. I forgot what Jesus said in (John 15:20) “Remember the words I spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater than his master. If they persecute me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also“.  Previously, Jesus also said; “If the world hates you, keep in mind that they hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world.”

The apostle Paul said of his ministry: “If anyone is confident that he belongs to Christ, he should consider again that we belong to Christ just as much as he. For even if I boast somewhat freely about the authority the Lord gave us for building you up rather than pulling you down, I will not be ashamed of it” (2 Corinthians 10:18). “For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.”

Jesus, Himself said; “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into the field” (Matthew 9:37).

Is God calling you to be His witness? Do you feel  led to serve Him? Maybe you aren’t called to (the) ministry, but you feel led by the Spirit to speak to others about Jesus. Search His will, pray for His clarity and purpose for your life and then become bold! Go out into the world and preach the Gospel (the good news of Jesus Christ.) All authority belongs to Him who sends you.