? "God did this..."

So, many of the people who I used to hang out with in my youth are now involved in Christian ministries.  With a fair amount of frequency they report on their exploits.  Sometimes this involves meeting a person of influence such as an MP.  The reporting of this somehow authenticates the ministry and as a by-product shows the person in charge approved by God.  Now let's be clear...

A person who has repented before the cross having been implicated in the death of Messiah is born again.  The life lived in recalibration to the Holy Spirit's leadings and convictions means a person is approved by God.  This is a result of 'Sonship.'  One of the things I'm sure the Lord wants us all to do is walk in Sonship.  The book of Romans will underline this as will most Epistles.  What we see however is endless seeking to vindicate and authenticate our walk with God via works.  Your Sonship validates you, but walking in 'works' and not 'faith' will lead to a constant search for authentication and validation.  

Callings?

I've written before, to the annoyance of many, that some ministries we see today are not of God's sending. It's an opinion based upon the conviction that we are firstly called to be a disciple before we are sent and thus become an Apostle.  What people do is assume that a need recognised means we must meet it.  Social action is a good cause and we should be helping people... but let's not call it a 'ministry' from God.   "I feel sad for the people of Indonesia... so God is calling me to them."  Really?  I hope it is true, but it is not why those Biblical characters did what they did.  They were sent by God and therefore saw much more than endless prayer meetings and collections to make something happen. 

A part of this whole industry is the need to verify the Lord's presence in the project.  This is why we see people underlining for us who they have met and who is involved.    "You're so negative Gary, how do you know the Lord isn't doing this?"  I'm not saying the Lord isn't involved at some level, but I am saying it is not difficult to get influential people involved with a good-works project. 

I launched a product in the UK to do with Youth Work and Interactive tools.  In the first year I had an Award as a Social Entrepreneur and by year two I was sat in the Secretary of State office.  WOW! I hear you gasp (and change your profiling framework about me).  But don't!  It's not hard to get people whose job it is to network with do-good projects involved.  A sure sign that Christians over-rate MP's, celebrities and other famed people is when they think mentioning them gives credibility.  It also shows that your project is in need of marketing by human means instead of the Holy Spirit's wind blowing through it.  The latter means you are absolutely unstoppable and in no need of marketing.

Some reading this will deduce that I am unstable and can't see when God is helping and promoting me.  "Surely God got you in the offices of power?"  I don't think so.  Here's why.  For many years before this stately visit the Lord had been preparing our family for emigration to Australia.    This meeting took place a month before departure so nothing could have come of this meeting anyway.  For God to have been directly and purposefully wanting me to chat to these people was for no reason whatsoever.  It just happened.  Things happen.  It isn't always God.  Here's a test to see if it is God...

The book of Acts. 

That's what happens.  

Gary Ward