As a Christian, it may be that the Lord Jesus will give you a particular gift so that you can walk in a specific calling while you’re here on earth. There are five gifts, often called offices, that are listed in the word of God: apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers.
“Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers.” (Ephesians 4:11 NLT).
There are some who will say that some of these offices are no longer given by Jesus. But these same people cannot stand on a single scripture to prove their point. The Lord Jesus is still building up His church in our day to achieve His goals and reach a dark and needy world.
The world changes in a heartbeat, but Jesus stays the same forever. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8 NKJV).
You may wonder if the Lord Jesus has given you a gift and appointed you to hold a particular office. If He has not made it plain to you, and you are not really sure, then don’t worry about it. Just be willing to serve the Lord however He calls you; that is enough.
You can’t serve the Lord so long as you have your own agenda. Jesus taught, “If anyone serves Me, he must [continue to faithfully] follow Me [without hesitation, holding steadfastly to Me, conforming to My example in living and, if need be, suffering or perhaps dying because of faith in Me]; and wherever I am [in heaven’s glory], there will My servant be also. If anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him” (John 12:26 AMP).
Perhaps you have had someone assign a title to you. They may be right, but they may be wrong. Scripture is very clear about who assigns the office, and it is none other than Jesus Christ Himself. “And He Himself [Jesus Christ] gave…” (Ephesians 4:11 NKJV).
Being Christian is not a title you wear but a new life you’re supposed to walk in. “Anyone who says he is a Christian should live as Christ did” (1 John 2:6 TLB).
Perhaps you have assigned a title to yourself. You may be right, and you may be wrong. The question is, why is the title so important to you? If the title focuses you on your calling, and your calling is sure, then the Lord can use that to keep you focused.
It’s more important you live your purpose than you have a title. “God has made us what we are. He has created us in Christ Yeshua to live lives filled with good works that he has prepared for us to do” (Ephesians 2:10 NOG).
The problem for most who have a title but who do not have the gift to go with it is that the title is only there to feed their pride. When the title you are called raises you up before other people, you can be sure that the title is not from God.
Don’t seek the title, but live the life that the title would seek you. We are all called to “…be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity” (1 Timothy 4:12 NKJV). The example you set is the message you are.
If the Lord has clearly appointed you to an office and your calling is sure, then be willing to keep that between you and Him. Just because you hold an office doesn’t mean you have to announce it. In fact, the more you have to announce it, the less likely it is you will hold that office.
It doesn’t matter how big your calling is, but only that you do it. “As each one has received some spiritual gift, he should use it to serve others, like good managers of God’s many-sided grace” (1 Peter 4:10 CJB).
The gift for the apostle is to be that messenger of God that boldly walks the earth in their service to Him. Though they operate high in their service, they will be humble in their presence, knowing that it is God who is with them. Their message is to the leaders and the workers in the church.
The gift for the prophet is that they are the vessel of God through which the revelations of heaven are poured out to God’s children. The gift for the prophet is the sensitivity of their spirit to be the conduit between the voice of God and the discerning ears of those who would listen.
The gift of evangelizing is to help the servant to spread the Good News of the Gospel everywhere. The evangelist has the most special calling to shine the light of God’s hope, which is Christ, to a dark and dying world. The gift of salvation is then poured out from the resources of heaven.
The gift of pastoring is to help the servant tend to the needs of God’s children. It is not only the lead pastor but also the many areas of pastoring that God’s children need to be cared for. The pastor will protect their flock and keep them in the safe pasture of God’s truths.
The gift of teaching is to help the servant pour truth into the children of God. The teacher will help God’s children learn about the truths of God and how they could live their lives for Him. The teacher will be given the leading and the inspiration to lead and inspire others.
If you want to know what office you may walk in, simply look at what the Lord is asking you to do. Are you a teacher to others? Are you pastoring people by taking care of their needs? Are you sharing the gospel with those who would listen? Is God speaking to you a message to be given to the leaders?
Your calling is never what you say but what you hear. Never allow another with a strong calling to deter you from all the Lord would have you do. It is not that their calling is wrong, but it is not yours. “For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable” (Romans 11:29 NKJV). Your calling cannot be taken away, only ignored by you. Your calling is as unique as you are.
Blessings to you,
Paul Balius
Wow this was so humbling and greatly worded! Thanks for sharing.
Thank you! So glad you liked it. Blessings to you!
Thank you so much! I think as we are growing higher in our faith we will seek that which is humbling, knowing the great value that having humility in our lives will bring. Blessings to you!