Moment to Moment (Bible blog)
Every once in a while, I’ll think I noticed something new in the Bible only to realize later that I’d noticed it before and actually blogged about it. This was one of those times.
But there were some new thoughts I had on the matter, and so I rewrote this article a bit.
I hope you’re as blessed as I was.
One thing that God has been reminding me recently is that just because my ministry is blessed, this doesn’t necessarily mean I have his approval.
This passage is a perfect example of that.
Through Moses, the people of Israel were given water. But Moses most definitely did not have God’s approval.
God had told him to speak to the rock and that God would cause water to come out of it to quench the people’s thirst.
But in a fit of anger because of all the people’s complaints, Moses struck the rock instead.
And…water came out. Everyone was satisfied.
Had God not said anything, Moses might have deceived himself into thinking he had God’s approval. After all, God had used him, and the people’s need was met.
But God was not pleased with Moses.
He said,
Because you did not trust me to demonstrate my holiness in the sight of the Israelites, you will not bring this assembly into the land I have given them. (Numbers 20:12)
We must never confuse God’s grace in our ministry with his approval of us.
For the sake of his people and his kingdom, in his grace, God may use us to bring blessing to many, even when we’re being unfaithful to our call.
But the fact that he blesses our ministry doesn’t mean that we have God’s approval.
That makes me tremble. What will God say to me when I stand before him?
Will he say, “Well done?”
Or will all I have done be burned away? (1 Corinthians 3:15)
God, you have entrusted me with this ministry to your people. Not for my sake. Not for my glory. But for the sake of your people to bless them. And for the sake of your glory.
Forgive me for the times that I have forgotten that. Help me to always be faithful as your steward.
Thank you for your grace that always picks me up and sustains me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
In Paul’s greetings, two things stood out to me today.
He says of a man named Apelles: “he is ‘approved in Christ.'”
And of a man named Rufus: “he is ‘chosen in the Lord.'”
The truth is, both things can be said of all of us. Why single these two men out?
Obviously, with as little information as we have on these men, anything we say is pure guesswork.
But perhaps both these men needed special encouragement that they were approved and chosen in the Lord.
The word “approved” often has the idea of “tested” in it. And so it’s possible that Apelles had faced some kind of testing in his life.
It might have been some kind of trial or persecution. And perhaps he sometimes wondered, “Why?”
But Paul lets him know, “Yes, you have faced trials, and it’s been tough for you. But you and your faith have come out like gold that has passed through the fire. Know that God says to you, “Well done!” (1 Peter 1:7)
As for Rufus, Paul says. “You are chosen in the Lord. Don’t forget who you are.”
But as Paul talked about earlier, Rufus was chosen not for how good he was, but because of God’s grace and mercy towards him. (Romans 9:11-17)
I say again, though: these words are not for them alone. They are for all of us who belong to Jesus.
So if you’re facing trials, keep trusting God and his goodness and love toward you. And you like Apelles will come out like gold. (Job 23:10)
And never forget who you are: You are chosen in the Lord.
Here in this passage, we see Paul sending greetings to different people in Rome.
These were people who Paul really appreciated. Some supported him financially, others worked side by side with him in ministry, others had spent time in prison with him for the sake of the gospel.
But two things really strike me here.
Twice he refers to women (Mary and Persis) who worked hard in the Lord. And he talks about a man named Apelles, who was tested and approved in Christ.
I was just thinking how I’d like to have people say those things about me.
That I worked hard in the Lord.
That I was doing all the things that God asked of me.
And that through whatever circumstances and trials I might go through, that I have been found approved in Christ.
More than that, though, it’s my deepest desire that when I go to heaven, God would say to me, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
For while the praise of man is wonderful, it is the praise of God that really counts.
How about you? What would God and others say about you?
Moment to Moment (Bible blog) 