OUR MINISTRY TO EACH OTHER – By Segun ‘Tremendous’ OSHINAGA
“Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11
We have received instructions to comfort each other. The ministry of comfort is the direst need of many saints today. The challenges of the times in which we live tend to beat down our spirits. There are so many things we encounter day to day that threaten to suffocate our faith, depress our spirits and extinguish our love for the things of God. There is a conspiracy out there to dampen our joy, discourage our zeal and wean us from following after the Lord.
It is in the light of these challenges that the Apostle Paul exhorts us to do the following:
1. Warn Them That Are Unruly
Love is tough. There is a place for discipline and tough love in the assembly of the saints. There are people who are wayward, inconsistent, and disposed to follow their own will. They are not interested in pleasing the Lord but following after their own ways. Those we should firmly though lovely discipline.
2. Comfort The Feeble-minded
There are saints whose faith is feeble and therefore need daily encouragement and baby-sitting. Not everyone is at the same level of faith. Not everyone can handle tough situations. We all therefore have the responsibility to help the feeble-minded through challenging situations. Sometimes, we have to literally hold them by the hand and spoon-feed them till danger is past.
3. Support The Weak
Supporting the weak is an exciting ministry. The weak today will become the strong tomorrow. Many times, we despise the weak and leave them on their own to struggle. Often times, their faith falters for lack of support and encouragement. Many people who are weak pretend to be strong and hide their weaknesses either because of shame or in the vain hope that we won’t see it and trust them with bigger responsibilities.
At the end of the day, it is the Kingdom that suffers. It is the responsibilities of the leaders to see through the pretences of weak saints and help them inspite of themselves. Programmes and care need to be devoted to help the weak. Time must be set aside. The atmosphere must be right to encourage them to be brutally frank about their challenges without being ashamed.
Unfortunately, the church has perfected ‘a state of the art hypocrisy’. Many people have become hypocrites. They are one thing in the comforts of their homes and another in the church or in front of the saints. We must close the door between split personalities. We must encourage them to be in church what they are at home. That is the only way we can measure their spiritual states and therefore help them.
4. Be Patient With All Men
Patience with one another is the key to growth. Not judgement, not gossip, not feeling superior to others but patience with them is our chief duty to the saints. If we desire to see people fulfil their destinies and glorify God in their lives, we must patiently lead them to a life of holiness and solid, Christian character.
Dr. Segun ‘Tremendous’ OSHINAGA
Tel/WhatsApp: +2348030773584, +2348022073050
Email: droshinaga@gmail.com
Website: DrTremendousOshinaga.NG
