2 Corinthians 5:20 assures us that we are ambassadors for Christ. We want to effectively accomplish
that divine assignment. As any ambassador, our representation is of our Sovereign, not of our own will,
opinion or inclination. Recognizing that we are representatives of the most High God, our lives should reflect His character and nature.Additionally, our lips should report Him accurately to others.
It is necessary to be spiritually prepared to engage in ministry to another who is facing life difficulties. God's Word is clear in 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 that if we have not appropriated God's comfort and help in our own time of trial, we will be hard pressed to extend something to others which we do not personally know. As a matter of fact, handling one’s own crisis biblically is a practical pre-requisite for effectively ministering to othersin crisis.
Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;
Who comforteth us in all our tribulation,
that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble,
by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4
Christ had such a heart of compassion that he wept over Jerusalem, wrote privately in the sand to the woman caught in adultery, and called Zaccheus down from the tree to fellowship with him. He healed the nobleman's son from afar and declared faith as the vehicle for healing for the woman who had merely touched the hem of His garment. He met them where they were, and ministered to their deepest heart need, even when they didn't
realize the depth of that need.
Proverbs 1813 teaches us that it is vain and foolish to give an answer to a matter before fully hearing it.
We must be sure that we do not put our own spin on their pain but ask questions and listen carefully when they describe their struggles. We live in a world today where many hearts are hurting for multiple reasons of poor health, problems in the marriage, financial burdens, or broken relationships. Yet, while those circumstances seem to be " the problem", they are an opportunity to deal with the deeper problem, in turning their hearts
toward God.
As representative ambassadors for Christ, we must have compassion, involve ourselves in their lives, ask
questions in an effort to understand where they are, and use the divine appointment from God for our pointing
them to Christ.
(c) 1992, 2015 N. A. Collins
Limited copy permission for one personal file copy
that divine assignment. As any ambassador, our representation is of our Sovereign, not of our own will,
opinion or inclination. Recognizing that we are representatives of the most High God, our lives should reflect His character and nature.Additionally, our lips should report Him accurately to others.
It is necessary to be spiritually prepared to engage in ministry to another who is facing life difficulties. God's Word is clear in 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 that if we have not appropriated God's comfort and help in our own time of trial, we will be hard pressed to extend something to others which we do not personally know. As a matter of fact, handling one’s own crisis biblically is a practical pre-requisite for effectively ministering to othersin crisis.
Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;
Who comforteth us in all our tribulation,
that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble,
by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4
Christ had such a heart of compassion that he wept over Jerusalem, wrote privately in the sand to the woman caught in adultery, and called Zaccheus down from the tree to fellowship with him. He healed the nobleman's son from afar and declared faith as the vehicle for healing for the woman who had merely touched the hem of His garment. He met them where they were, and ministered to their deepest heart need, even when they didn't
realize the depth of that need.
Proverbs 1813 teaches us that it is vain and foolish to give an answer to a matter before fully hearing it.
We must be sure that we do not put our own spin on their pain but ask questions and listen carefully when they describe their struggles. We live in a world today where many hearts are hurting for multiple reasons of poor health, problems in the marriage, financial burdens, or broken relationships. Yet, while those circumstances seem to be " the problem", they are an opportunity to deal with the deeper problem, in turning their hearts
toward God.
As representative ambassadors for Christ, we must have compassion, involve ourselves in their lives, ask
questions in an effort to understand where they are, and use the divine appointment from God for our pointing
them to Christ.
(c) 1992, 2015 N. A. Collins
Limited copy permission for one personal file copy