Excellence in Ministry

Men of excellence in sports and athletics are recognised and awarded suitable medals in Olympics. Those who excel in Physics, Chemistry Medicine, Literature and Peace in the world, are also honoured with the Nobel prizes. The Pulitzer prizes are awarded to those whoexcel in Arts, and Journalism. Awards in the national level are given to those who have made outstanding contributions to the country or society. Prizes in the University and institution level are given to meritorious students, recognising their achievements in their studies. Is there an award for the Christian who excel in service for God? The Bible says that our labour will not go unrecognised. “Therefore my brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labour is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Cor. 15:58). Paul also wrote that our labour will be rewarded, “Each one will receive his own reward according to his own labour” (1 Cor. 3:8). Hence, it is very important for Christians to excel in their service for God, and also in holiness. For Jesus Christ has said, “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matt. 5:48). Paul wrote that excellence in Christian ministry and holiness is possible, through Jesus Christ. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Phil. 4:13). Since excellence is possible with the strength of our Lord, let us see the requirements for excellence in our ministry.

Requirement for excellence:

1.Temperate means exercising self-control. Those who compete for the worldly prize exercise and control the self for the perishable medals. But the Bible says that we will get an imperishable crown. So we are exhorted to exercise temperance in all things “And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown” (1 Cor. 9:25). Do we control our actions, behaviors, desires, activities, habits, speech and thoughts?

2.Discipline of the body: To avoid the disqualification for the prize, Paul wrote that he disciplined his body, and brought it into subjection. The NIV translates 1 Cor. 9:27 as, “No I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize”. Our body and mind long for certain things prohibited in the Word of God. So we are called to discipline our body and make it our slave. Many Christians lose their witness, because of their failure to discipline their bodies.

3.Doing the work heartily as to the Lord: Any work, that is performed heartily, will receive the reward of the inheritance. This is because; it is a service to the Lord Jesus Christ. “And whatever you do, do it heartily as to the Lord, and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance, for you serve the Lord Christ” (Col.3:23,24). So our involvement in any work or ministry must be with all our mind and soul, and not to please anybody.

4.Fighting a good fight faithfully: Paul was contented with the faithful Christian life that he led, and was looking forward to a glorious reward at the end of his life. “I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge will give to me on that day, and not to me only, but also to all who have loved His appearance” (2 Tim. 4:7,8). Paul fought the fight in the ministry faithfully and finished the race, after he had finished his race confidently, and had expressed his satisfaction in his ministry. May the Lord enable each one of us to involve in our ministry faithfully and sincerely.

5.Competing according to the rules: For the Christian service, like athletics, there are many rules and commandments to obey. The crown will be given, only when one obeys all the rules of the athletes. In the past many athletics in the Olympics have lost the medals, due to drugs, or disobedience “If anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules” (2 Tim. 2:5). Are we involved in the ministry as per the instructions of the Word of God?

6.Pressing on to the goal of calling: God has called each one of us. We need to have a purpose or goal in our lives. A Christian must know his goal, andpress on towards it. He is also called not to run aimlessly, for St. Paul wrote, “Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly, I do not fight like a man beating the air” (1 Cor. 9:26) and “I press on toward the goal to win the prize, for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 3:14). While running for the prize, Paul used the right strategy for success. He wrote that he was doing one thing, which was pressing on to the goal, “Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead” (Phil. 3:13). May the Lord enable each one of us to forget our failures and weaknesses, and press on to fulfill the purpose for which He has called us.

(Dr. C Barnabas, Translated from True Discipleship March 1996)