Good Morning

I received several responses to the question about taking John Mark with you. And I am grateful for each response. The question is not an easy one … because one has to measure the impact on the ministry in the event of failure against the impact on the person. As Christians we have the dual purpose to evangelize and to disciple. We are to share the gospel message … and then to build people up. Here’s what Paul wrote about our purposes:

Ephesians 4:1-16 (Contemporary English Version)
Unity with Christ
1As a prisoner of the Lord, I beg you to live in a way that is worthy of the people God has chosen to be his own. 2Always be humble and gentle. Patiently put up with each other and love each other. 3Try your best to let God's Spirit keep your hearts united. Do this by living at peace. 4All of you are part of the same body. There is only one Spirit of God, just as you were given one hope when you were chosen to be God's people. 5We have only one Lord, one faith, and one baptism. 6There is one God who is the Father of all people. Not only is God above all others, but he works by using all of us, and he lives in all of us.
7Christ has generously divided out his gifts to us. 8As the Scriptures say,
"When he went up
to the highest place,
he led away many prisoners
and gave gifts to people."
9When it says, "he went up," it means that Christ had been deep in the earth. 10This also means that the one who went deep into the earth is the same one who went into the highest heaven, so that he would fill the whole universe.
11Christ chose some of us to be apostles, prophets, missionaries, pastors, and teachers, 12so that his people would learn to serve and his body would grow strong. 13This will continue until we are united by our faith and by our understanding of the Son of God. Then we will be mature, just as Christ is, and we will be completely like him. [a] 14We must stop acting like children. We must not let deceitful people trick us by their false teachings, which are like winds that toss us around from place to place. 15Love should always make us tell the truth. Then we will grow in every way and be more like Christ, the head 16of the body. Christ holds it together and makes all of its parts work perfectly, as it grows and becomes strong because of love.

Footnotes:
a. Ephesians 4:13 and we will be completely like him: Or and he is completely perfect.

This is a powerful passage of Scripture – admonishing us to walk worthy of the people God has chosen; to remember that we are one together; showing us that God has given us gifts to help each other grow. My focus today is on verse 12 where Paul gives the reasons: so that His people would learn to serve and His body would grow strong.

The neat thing about being a believer is that we are not alone – and we don’t have to “do it all”. Some of us are like Paul – focused on bringing people to Christ; impatient with those who are quite as fervent in their commitment. Some of us are like Barnabas – focused on developing people to their fullest; seeing the possibilities and potentiality. Together, we evangelize and disciple – and the Body grows strong.

Paul went his way with Silas. Barnabas went his with John Mark. Two missionary groups sprang from one – and God was honored. Again, thank you for the comments made.

Agape’

Mr. Jim
Fatdad5@comcast.net
"Preach the Gospel everyday - and if you have to, use words" ... St. Francis of Assisi