Relevant ability (I)

In the course of the first instalment of this piece, we are looking at a very crucial and non-negotiable topic. It is a topic that separates believers from believers. Remember, just because one is a believer does not mean some rare privileges are going to be automatically given to us. Many people think that they are going to access some fat-places of Nigeria just because they are believers. No!

Paul writes in 2Cor. 3: 5-6, “Not that we are sufficient of ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God, who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter, but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.” The word “sufficient” in this text is the same as ability and competent. Paul is saying here that God has made us to be able and competent ministers of the new covenant, but to be able to function effectively and accurately as expected; we will need to respond appropriately to what God has made us.

Illustratively, you can make someone a managing director of a company but that does not mean the person is going to automatically perform as expected. For the person to do well, he or she will need to respond appropriately to what you have made him or her, otherwise, he or she is going to fall flat on his or her face.

To minister competently as a believer—who has been enabled to be a minister of the new covenant—you will need to understand what the new covenant is all about. Also, you must have a relationship with the Holy Spirit and you must be able to dig into God’s word beyond the realm of the letter into the realm of the Spirit!

Many believers have been made as able ministers of the new covenant, but they cannot function as expected, because they have not responded appropriately to what they have been made able to be and do by God. You need relevant ability to be able to function effectively as an able minister of the new covenant.

For the umpteenth time, just because you are a believer does not mean you are going to automatically have access to the fat and best of your land, you will need to develop a relevant ability, “Young men in whom there was no blemish, but good looking, gifted in all wisdom, possessing knowledge and quick to understand who had ability to serve in the king’s palace, and whom they might teach the language and literature of the Chaldeans (Dan. 1:4).” The best of your land is not for a mediocre. It was not every Jew who could access the palace, only those who have developed the relevant ability to serve in the palace were granted access. As a believer, do not just confess that you are eating the good of your land; make sure you are not a run-of-the-mill believer. Make sure you are fit and built for the palace!

To become fit and built for the palace, you will need to have a first rate relationship with Jesus and you may need to develop some relevant skills and take some relevant courses. Also, to become fit and built for the palace, you will need to build a functional library.

In 2Timothy 2: 2, Paul says to Timothy, “And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” In other words, it is not every believer that you are allowed to assign to teach in the Local Assembly. Many believers are available and able to do some other things, but they may not able to teach.

As a believer, to be assigned to teach others, you will need to develop some teaching skills and you will not become a fantastic teacher overnight. Many believers today do not understand this reality. They think they are going to become fantastic teachers and preachers overnight. You will need to preach hundreds of messages before you can become a rock-solid teacher or preacher.

Lastly, one of the reasons nothing is being committed into your hand is because you lack—relevant ability. Take for instance; you cannot be made a music director if you have not developed an ability to lead in that sphere. You will not be made a music director on the condition that you do not understand music.