“Then some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowd over. They stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city, thinking he was dead. But after the disciples had gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city. The next day he and Barnabas left for Derbe.
“They preached the gospel in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. ‘We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,’ they said. Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust. After going through Pisidia, they came into Pamphylia, and when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia.
“From Attalia they sailed back to Antioch, where they had been committed to the grace of God for the work they had now completed. On arriving there, they gathered the church together and reported all that God had done through them and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles.” Acts 14:19-27
Since his drastic salvation experience, Paul was on mission for his Lord. He took seriously God’s call and preached powerfully His gospel. Everywhere he went, commended himself by grace, he commended all who would listen to the life-changing grace and truth of Jesus. Once he connected new believers to fellowship, he committed them to the Lord and moved on. The Spirit of the Lord steadily and mightily built His church through earnest disciples dedicated to His mysterious, methodical work. (Acts 20:27-32)
God’s people are created and appointed to differing ministries within His body. We are all recipients of His grace by His hand through at least one, likely many, of His servants. Paul’s example inspires devotion, passion, meaningful fellowship, and the importance of committing whatever work we do to the Lord to effect. Our responsibility is faithful execution, His is salvation and sanctification.
When personal ambition sneaks beyond preaching and exalting Christ, our efforts will not flourish. When our wants or goals stray from His will, we can get frustrated and discouraged. If we take rejection personally, or demand certain parameters to a ministry, or seek credit and affirmation instead of commending Christ alone, we will yield no lasting fruit. Work committed to God’s grace and executed His way promotes spiritual health and fosters growth. How willing am I to do my part?
What has the Lord made clear I am to do within His church and world? Do I view ministry as an independent, or mine to accomplish within God’s wider plan? Am I prone to set out with my agenda, or seek and follow the Lord’s lead on where He’s preparing faith or wants me to participate? Am I more concerned with achieving my desired results than trusting the Lord to complete His? How ready am I to do my part with energy and zeal, then commend the fruit to God and move on to His next assignment? Effective ministry for the Lord initiates plans, develops and maintains connectivity with His people, and overflows in His due praise. (1 Corinthians 3:5-7)
Lord, I commend my work to Your grace and purposes, to build Your church and bless Your name.
As the rain and snow 