COLOSSIANS 1:25

“I was made a minister of this church according to the commission from God granted to me for your benefit, so that I might fully carry out the preaching of the word of God,” 

I take my calling seriously. Having been called into the ministry at an early age (17 years old), I have been responding to the Lord’s leadership for a lot of years. I was a senior in high school when God called me. There was no mistake about it. I did not want to be a minister, much less a missionary. God had other plans. Now, 47 years later, God is still directing me. That “commission” I received from the Lord back in 1977 is still in effect.

Paul had been a Pharisee before he met Jesus on that Damascus road. His calling was a little more dramatic than mine. I am sure he was also surprised that God intended for him to reach the Gentiles, not the Jews. His calling was to a people that he had despised as a Pharisee. His calling was to “fully carry out the preaching of the word of God.” I think we can all agree (if you have studied Paul’s life) that he did that well. He was faithful to the end. He is one of the first people I want to meet in heaven one day. I am sure he has lots of other stories about his missionary journeys that are not recorded in Scripture.

APPLICATION

The word “commission” is the Greek word oikonomia. Strong’s Lexicon says, “this concept was easily understood by early Christians and was applied metaphorically to describe the stewardship of spiritual truths and the administration of God’s redemptive plan.” According to that, we are all commissioned by God. We all should be good stewards of spiritual truths and should all be sharing God’s redemptive plan.

In 1 Corinthians 9:16-18, we see Paul further explaining his “commission.” “16 For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast about, for I am under compulsion; for woe to me if I do not preach the gospel. 17 For if I do this voluntarily, I have a reward; but if against my will, I have been entrusted with a commission nonetheless. 18 What, then, is my reward? That, when I preach the gospel, I may offer the gospel without charge, so as not to make full use of my right in the gospel.”

You may not be a preacher. You may not be a missionary. But you have been commissioned by God to carry forth His truths to the world. You have in your possession as a believer the greatest story ever told. Fulfill your commission today. Tell someone about Jesus.

Lord, send me out to the world to share Your truths and Your redemptive plan.