The Amish Voice 4
the twelve apostles. If they were true minis-
ters, then he also was a true minister, for he
had been called by the same Living Lord
who had been raised from the dead by God
the Father.
APPLICATION 1:
Critics often arise and cause trouble for the
minister of God. At such times the minister
must boldly declare his call and ministry, not
in a boastful and super-spiritual way but in a
humble and clear way.
APPLICATION 2:
Every minister should examine his heart to
make sure his call and ministry have been
commissioned by God. The ministry is not...
a profession to be chosen.
a job to earn a living.
a position to secure recognition and
esteem.
a service agency founded by men.
an ordained commission from men.
a call
of
men nor
by
men.
The ministry is of God; therefore a call to the
ministry must come from God. God alone
can give a true call and commission to the
ministry.
"Therefore seeing we have this minis-
try [from God] as we have received
mercy, we faint not; but have re-
nounced the hidden things of dishon-
esty, not walking in craftiness nor
handling the word of God deceitfully;
but by manifestation of the truth
commending ourselves to every man's
conscience in the sight of God" (2
Cor. 4:1-2).
QUESTIONS:
1. How do you think Paul felt as he defend-
ed the call of God upon his life? What
would you have done if you were the
apostle Paul?
2. Do you ever experience feelings of inad-
equacy in your place of service? What
sort of attitude are you to have?
3. How sure are you of God's call upon
your life? Why is it important to be sure
of His call?
4. What is to be your attitude in serving
God?
2. HE IS RECOGNIZED AS GOD'S MAN
BY CHRISTIAN BELIEVERS (v. 2).
Note: the brothers with Paul were not just
sending their greetings to the Galatian
churches; they were agreeing with everything
that Paul was writing. They were as con-
cerned as Paul over the critics and false
teachers in the churches of Galatia, and they
clearly recognized Paul's call and commis-
sion as being of God. This is the stress of the
point. Paul called them
brothers
, not friends.
A true brother in Christ is much more than a
friend. True brothers have a deeper, richer
bond and relationship: they are of one faith,
mind, spirit, and purpose. They may have
different abilities and be assigned different
work, but they believe in and serve the same
Lord.
This is what Paul was saying: there were
brothers in the Lord
who knew him and his
call. They readily verified his call and minis-
try. In fact, they
joined him
in writing and
declaring the truth.
Note: there was more than one church that
was questioning Paul's call and ministry. All
the churches in Galatia were attacking him.
"And the King shall answer and say
unto them, Verily I say unto you, In-
asmuch as ye have done it unto one of
the least of these my brethren, ye
have done it unto me" (Matthew
25:40).
ILLUSTRATION:
Just as you can judge a tree by its fruit, the
same is true for any man who claims to rep-
resent God. Paul's relationship with the Lord
was recognized by other believers because of
the fruit he bore. This point is made clear by
an example from the life of John Wesley.
"In one of his meetings in Spitalfields,
John Wesley denounced the sins of the
people. Two men, heavily under the
influence of liquor, stood on the edge of
the crowd. 'He's saying mean things
about us,' they said; 'let's do him in.'
With large rocks in their hands they
crept to a vantage point from which
they could hurl them at Wesley's head.
"As they were about to carry out their
murderous plan, Wesley's emphasis
suddenly changed from sin to the Sav-
iour, the sinner's Friend. While he lov-
ingly and earnestly spoke of the Sav-
iour, his face shone, and his fervent
words burned their way into the hearts
of his would-be murderers. The stones
were dropped from their hands. They
went and knelt at Wesley's feet. He put
his hands on their heads and said, 'God
bless you, my boys! God bless you!'
"As they walked away one said, 'Was it
God Himself?' 'No, Bill, but it was a
man like God!' answered the other."
There is no greater way to be recognized as
God's man than to proclaim the gospel in
power and authority.
APPLICATION:
When critics attack the minister, it is time for
true brothers
in the Lord to step forward and
support him in his ministry and in declaring
the truth. True brothers always defend and
come to the aid of a brother when he is criti-
cized and attacked.
"Greater love hath no man than this,
that a man lay down his life for his
friends" (John 15:13).
QUESTIONS:
1. What person(s) do you trust to confirm
God's call in your life? Why do you
trust them?
2. As you serve Christ, what difference
does it make knowing other Christians
believe in your call?
3. What do you think your role is when a
fellow believer is being attacked?
3. HE WISHES THE VERY BEST FOR
OTHER BELIEVERS (v. 3).
The minister, Paul, wanted the believers of
Galatia to experience the grace and peace of
God and of the Lord Jesus Christ. (Note
again how the deity of Jesus Christ is pro-
claimed: He is placed side by side with God.)
1. Grace means the
undeserved favor and
blessings
of God. The word
undeserved
is
the key to understanding grace. Man does not
deserve God's favor; he cannot earn God's
approval and blessings. God is too high and
man is too low for man to deserve anything
from God. Man is imperfect and God is per-
fect; therefore, man cannot expect anything
from God. Man has reacted against God too
much. Man has...
rejected God
rebelled against
God
ignored God
neglected God
cursed God
sinned against
God
disobeyed God
denied God
questioned God