4:1 This, then, is how you ought to regard us: as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the mysteries God has revealed. 2 Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. -1 Corinthians 4:1-2
As a Christian, how would you define your ministries? What are the key traits of Christian ministries? While responses may differ, today I want to highlight “mercy” and “gratitude.”
We, Christians, are called to be ministers of mercy, sharing the boundless compassion of God found in Jesus Christ with those around us. However, it’s essential to recognize that we are also recipients of this mercy. The mercy we extend is rooted in the mercy we have received in Christ.
Karl Barth captured this sentiment well, stating, “Our ministry is based upon the fact that we have been shown mercy. Jesus Christ has exercised his great patience toward us.” After all, our acts of mercy stem from our own encounters with divine compassion.
Gratitude naturally arises in response to the mercy we’ve received. It is important to note that this gratitude is not based on how much we deserve anything. Mercy is an expression of God’s pure grace, freely given to us despite our unworthiness. We have no grounds to claim merit. We do not seek reward. Rather, we humbly accept the mercy bestowed upon us, prompting heartfelt gratitude.
This gratitude propels us into the service of Jesus Christ. We acknowledge our debt to him and offer our lives in return. As disciples, we follow his example of selfless service, ministering to a world in need of the mercy that Christ offers. It is Jesus himself who calls us to serve, driven by his compassionate desire to save sinners.
In this light, we embrace our identity as “servants of Christ,” recognizing that our ministry is an expression of gratitude for the mercy we have received. Without this foundation of mercy and gratitude, our ministries can feel hollow. However, when rooted in mercy and gratitude, we lack nothing. As grateful ministers of mercy, may we all strive to embody the love and compassion of Christ in all that we do. Amen.
photo credit: Lightstock.com – Ontheroad – 930953