Our Duties As Christians

Ephesians 4:11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.

The Bible let’s us know here that the 5-fold ministry is primarily for the equipping of the saints (everyone is a saint in God’s house – this does not mean they are fully grown in understanding yet) for the work of the ministry.

In other words, the apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers are there to enable every single Christian do their work in the ministry properly.

Most Christians have things as not working properly in their lives, not because God is angry with them or they are not praying enough (even though as Christians we all ought to pray a lot, especially for others).However, they are not having results because they simply are not putting the Word of God to work in their lives enough. When you put the Word of God to work in your life, it would work for you more.

Most of us would think normally that the work of the ministry is for the apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers in the house of God, but the Bible tells us dififerently here. It tells us that the work of the ministry is for everyone in the house of God, and the apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers are there to assist everyone else to minister properly.

This does not mean we are all called to start a ministry, but it does mean that we are all called to do the following for Christ:

1. Win souls

Matthew 28:18-20 “I have been given complete authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (NLT)

2. We are called to build up people for Christ in our local assembly (church)

1 Thess 5:11 Therefore, encourage and comfort one another and build up one another, just as you are doing. AMP

Paul told the whole of the church in Thessalonica here that it was their responsibility to comfort, strengthen and build up one another in Christ. In other words, it is the duty of every single Christian to serve in the capacity of praying for, and exhorting or teaching other members of his/her local assembly, with a view to encouraging and strengthening them in Christ.

3. We are called to attend meetings in our local assembly, and be sure to pray for, and follow up on others to ensure they attend and are active in their involvement too.

Hebrews 10:25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.

4. Give and work for the success of our local assembly

Luke 6:38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” NIV

There are different keys to different doors in the Kingdome of God. The key to the door of financial abundance is giving. We have to give, not primarily for the upkeep of the church even, but because it is a very important spiritual principle linked to our financial well-being.

Next week we shall look into more of the principles in the Word of God which spell out our duties, and bring us into our manifestation as Sons of God.