Present your bodies…
(Romans 12:1)
Dear fellow preacher,
God asks of us all to present to Him our bodies; but what does this mean for us preachers? Probably more than it does for the people we minister to.
Many of us are no stranger to suffering, and I think this is the essence of Romans 12:1 for a preacher.
Consider what Isaiah says about how the Father dealt with our Saviour, Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him… (Isa. 53:10). How willing are we to let the Lord crush us and mold us?
After almost 40 years in the ministry, I really believe that part of God’s will for a preacher is to be crushed like grapes. Why is this? Probably for several reasons.
- It purifies our hearts and souls.
- It keeps us closer to God.
- It lets us be filled with the Spirit.
- It helps us minister to the hurting.
Back in the 1970’s I gave my body to God while in Bible College, and gained a victory over my fear to go anywhere He leads me. In the 1980’s I more fully gave my body (and all that I owned) over to God, and sure enough He crushed me, BUT I gained and grew so much more! He made my cup overflow! I’ve done it now many times over the years and He has never failed to bless me abundantly after the crushing.
This ‘giving to God our body’ is a serious commitment, but it brings serious rewards. Do it for His glory!
Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
Stay in the game!
Your brother in Christ,
Steven J. White
Pastor
I’d like to invite any Independent Baptist preacher (pastor, missionary, evangelist, or retired) to offer helpful advice, experiences and thoughts that will encourage others in the ministry. I want others to hear what you have to say. If this is of interest to you, please email me your thoughts or suggestions. None of us will get ‘paid’ for any of this, but all of us will get ‘sharpened’.