Did you notice that the Apostle Paul didn’t say God will make proof of your ministry? He also didn’t say you should pray to the Lord to prove your ministry; no! You’re the one to prove your ministry. Notice the underlined portion: "…do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry." This shows that it’s your responsibility.
Many people live and never even begin what God chose them for, let alone complete it. They live and die without ever entering what God chose them to do in life. Colossians 4:17 says, "And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it." Think about that! Paul writes to the Colossians and tells them to charge a certain brother in the church to pay attention to his God-given ministry, and fulfil it.
If it were God’s responsibility to fulfil the man’s ministry, Paul probably would have said, "Tell Archipus not to worry, God will make sure he fulfils his ministry"; he didn’t say that; he made it clear it was Archippus’ responsibility, not only to take heed to the ministry that he had received of the Lord, but also to fulfil it.
If many people realized how much responsibility they have as individuals, for their lives, and how their lives turn out, they’ll think differently. It’s your responsibility to fulfil your calling. It’s your responsibility to put what you’ve got to work. Don’t be intimidated by circumstances in your evangelical work. Refuse to fear, because in making full proof of your ministry, you’re to endure afflictions. Therefore, be bold and courageous always: "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind" (2 Timothy 1:7).
Prayer
Dear Father, I thank you for your Word today, helping me to discover my purpose for living. I’m set on the right path to fulfil my divine destiny in Christ! I’m walking in preordained pathways, for you’ve structured the course of events in my life, and I go on to fulfil my divine destiny, to the glory and praise of your Name. Amen.
further study: Acts 20:22-24; 2 Peter 1:10
: Mark 14:27-52 Numbers 27-28
: Acts 26:12-23 Psalm 69-70
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