Appointed and Equipped

Posted On July 22, 2022

This our starting point for today’s entry. To fully realize our purpose on earth we must firstly acknowledge and believe the authority and rule of God! We are not our own, we belong to the Lord and it’s such an amazing blessing and privilege just to be alive in the first place! Each breath we breathe is a gift out the hands of God. We are His and in actuality we were created for His glory and praise.

1 Corinthians 6:20

For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.

Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, the gift of life and grace which we’ve received was totally and utterly undeserved. Without it, an eternal burning fire would’ve been our sure destination! It was and is a gift! A gift that we are entrusted with, a responsibility; and you have everything you need in order to succeed in fulfilling this responsibility!

1 Peter 4:10

As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

Not only are we commanded to take up this gift and share it, but also to make good of it! Meaning, do it in such a way that brings honour and glory to God, to persist and endure so we may be found faithful at the return of Jesus!

1 Corinthians 4:1-2

Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.

It’s not something we pick and and put down when we feel like it, it’s something we live, day in and day out. It’s not seasonal and most assuredly it’s not occasional. Where ever we are and whatever we do, we should live as unto our Lord God and Saviour Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 7:17

But as God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk. And so ordain I in all churches.

Hebrews 12:1-2

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

In practicality our lives must reflect that of Jesus’ command in Matthew 28:18-20, our words and deeds must be seasoned with it, but it doesn’t stop there. We are appointed to live a life in holiness and righteousness! If God is a holy God, which He is (Psalm 99), how can we then water-down our pursuit in living a holy life? How can we then take lightly the fact that we are called to righteousness and godliness? Contrary to the world and contrary to many sermons, no, most sermons increasing in popularity among the masses.

1 Peter 1:15-17

But as He which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear.

The Word of God is filled with Scripture in guiding us on how such a life should look like, here is only a few:

Ephesians 4:1-6

I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

Philippians 2:3-7

Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.

1 Peter 3:15-16

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.

Now, this might feel like a mountain looking ahead if you attempt this out of your own strength, but how comforting is it to know that in Jesus Christ, with His Holy Spirit AND with time spent in the Word of God – He has equipped us with everything we need in order to live such a life as before mentioned.

2 Timothy 3:14-17

But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

See also Hebrews 13:20-21 and 1 Corinthians 1:4-7.

We are not left on our own to wage war against the devices of this world, of the devil, we are equipped with every good work to stand firm against temptation, to resist the devil and to make the right choices that leads to a life glorifying the Lord, that leads to a life bearing fruit of our belief we ought to hold firmly onto!

Not only so, but this also serves as a reminder that our excuses don’t make the cut. We are accountable for every choice we make and for every act we commit. Contrary to what the world wants you to believe – we are responsible for the choices we make, because at the end of the day; it’s a choice!

2 Peter 1:3

According as His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory and virtue.

Therefore, let us stand appointed, knowing we are equipped and live according to the blessed purpose we have in Jesus Christ!