The Power to Survive
Ministry is no substitute for a relationship with Jesus.
Life = Zoe = The invigorating Life inside our souls only God can give.
Godliness = The character of God.
“for His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.”
2 Peter 1:3 NASB2020
Sin is to find Life inside our soul in anything a part from Jesus.
Including ministry.
Ministry feels good. It really feels good when everything is going good.
When you try to fill your soul with the feeling or success of ministry, ministry is an idol.
Eventually, the Life will run out. Then burnout comes. Then moral failure comes.
And it does not happen overnight. The changes are undetectable at first. Then you’re in a spot where you don’t remember reading the Bible or praying for any other reason than ministry. You haven’t had a soul searching conversation with another human a part from what is needed for ministry.
The energy you have starts to wane. You don’t have the same power in the inside you once had. You start taking short cuts. You can’t seem to wake up with new energy. What was never a temptation starts to be tempting.
You fill in the rest. Maybe you’ve felt this. Maybe you’re feeling it. Maybe you’ve seen it in someone else.
But check what the verse says. God’s divine power has given you everything you need for Life inside your soul and for his character to shine through you.
You don’t have to work for it.
No amount of ministry will give you more of his divine power.
You cannot do enough good to get more divine power
From the divine power, you have the strength and character to lead others.
How?
“Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord,”
2 Peter 1:2 NASB2020
Through the knowledge of God and Jesus. You must have a relationship with Jesus to tap into this divine power.
Ministry cannot be a substitute for a relationship with Jesus. Through your relationship is how you will have the energy and character to survive…and thrive…and to be an over comer.
Recently, I had a major attack. I almost through it all away. Through my relationship with Jesus, he has given me a new invigorating Life from the inside.
Ministry cannot substitute for your relationship with Jesus.
And he will give you all the power and character you need to give to others through the overflow of what he pours inside you.