For when one says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” are you not being merely human? What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each. I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth (1 Corinthians 3:4-7; emphasis added).
Two months ago I wrote emphasizing the power and exclusivity a bold, straight-forward Gospel message has concerning salvation. As opposed to relying on various ineffective methods. Pastor Pauley, who has been expositing through the 13th chapter of Acts, recently taught that Christians ought to focus on the Lord of the work, and not the workers of the Lord. As Pastor Pauley was explaining this concept, I realized that I needed to expand on my past article to delineate this fact. In other words, the Word itself is the sole entity God utilizes to supernaturally move the heart of an individual unto salvation. The messenger is only an instrument or means by which God accomplishes this divine miracle! Even the Apostle Paul knew he contributed nothing toward someone’s salvation and gave ALL credit to God (1 Corinthians 3:7).
We read in Scripture, And how are they to believe in Him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ (Romans 10:14b-17). Even though the role of the messenger is pertinent to the beginning of the salvation process, he does NOT have the ability to quicken a soul—only God does! Furthermore, it is only by God’s sovereignty and orchestration that evangelism is necessary.
John Calvin wrote: “That man, accordingly, is mistaken who looks to men, or depends merely on their remuneration [reward]. Here we have an admirable commendation of the ministry—that while God could accomplish the work entirely Himself, He calls us, puny mortals, to be as it were His coadjutors [assistants], and makes use of us as instruments.”
Certain characteristics of the messenger can be very influential, which might prompt erroneous thinking. For example: his lifestyle, method of preaching, convictions, disciplines, routines, political views, moral views, and even the way he looks or dresses. In actuality, none of these things contributes one iota toward the saving power of the Gospel message. Only the Word of God is efficacious! Notice, in the above verses in Romans, a preacher is sent; he preaches the Gospel; and his feet are what is described as beautiful, nothing else. In other words, no emphasis is placed on the messenger’s characteristics, ability or appearance; How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news! (Romans 10:15).
It is so easy for finite human beings to give credit to the messenger when an individual effectually turns to Christ. In fact, it’s a very common misconception. People are tangible, physical creatures who can easily mislead, impress and mesmerize others by their observable physical attributes, whether intentional or not. God, on the other hand, is a spirit, intangible, not visible; and all He represents and accomplishes must be believed by faith (Habakkuk 2:4; Romans 1:17; 2 Corinthians 5:7; Hebrews 11:1). This, at times, can be extremely difficult to grasp.
So in essence, the Word alone is magnificent, powerful, miraculous and ultimately can save! As long as the minister accurately conveys God’s Word (2 Timothy 2:15), God, in His sovereignty, chooses whether or not to supernaturally act upon the minister;s words. Or, as the Apostle Paul wrote; God gives the growth (1 Corinthians 3:7). Again, quoting John Calvin: “In like manner, the Word of the Lord is seed that is in its own nature fruitful: ministers are as it were husbandmen [farmers] that plow, sow and irrigate”. Is it not mind-boggling, that an infinite, omnipotent God entrusts such responsibility to a limited, fragile creation (us)? And that He gives us the responsibility of spreading the eternal life-giving message (the Gospel) to others? And, through that evangelism, salvation is made available to everyone in every nation? But, we must always remember, that salvation comes only by believing in Jesus Christ (Acts 4:12) and only through the preaching of God’s Word! Amen!
Posted on July 1st, 2010 by Robert
Filed under: Elim Refresher Newsletter, From the Pew