A Privilege, Not a Duty

“But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.” (1Th 2:4 AV)

 

Of important note is the relationship between the ‘trust’ and the execution of that trust.  Paul states he speaks the gospel faithfully and effectively because of the trust.  I notice also the term ‘allowed’.  This trust which is placed upon Paul is a privilege.  We often see it as a duty.  This is not how Paul saw it.  He saw the sharing of the gospel as a privilege in which God entrusted him to perform.  From that perspective, Paul faithfully shared the gospel because he felt God had enough faith in him to entrust the responsibility to share the gospel with others.  Some may feel this trust is limited only to those called into Christian service.  But it is not limited to the ordained.  This privilege is for all who claim the name of Jesus Christ.  We are all ambassadors.  We have all been entrusted with the gospel message and we all have the solemn privilege to share it.

Yesterday, I went to see a church member in the hospital.  With all that is going on with COVID, these hospital visits were far a few between.  This is the first time I have gone with some of the COVID restrictions relaxed.  Not all, but some.  Upon arriving, I went to the reception desk and enquired as to the room of my church member.  Then I had to speak with a staff of pre-screeners who checked temperatures, asked questions, and distributed wrist bands.  There were four of them.  I noticed right off their demeanor was pleasant and cheerful.  Compassion was clearly in their voices.  The throngs did not discourage them nor change their attitude towards others.  They inquired as to vaccination status.  This was especially telling.  I half expected their attitude towards the unvaccinated to be different.  But it wasn’t.  If someone said they were not vaccinated, they simply offered free shots while they visited.  I asked if the unvaccinated were denied entry into the hospital and their answer was no.  No judging in their voice.  No attitude of impatience or moral superiority.  They felt it a privilege to interact with the public and share with them what they felt was important without copping an attitude about it.  They genuinely felt blessed to minister to the needs of others.

We have all been asked, usually spontaneously, to be gatekeepers for some type of event.  We would be asked to stand our post and share with those entering the event some pertinent information.  Perhaps a change of venue had occurred at the last minute and we are asked to relay the new location to those coming in.  Perhaps a schedule change, a seating arrangement, or simply to pass out hand-outs.  Whatever the responsibility, we enthusiastically discharged our duty because of the powers that be trusted us to do so.  After a while, we get bored, or we are more interested in what is going on inside.  We lay aside our duties because there is something else that has stolen our hearts away.  We have been allowed to share the gospel with others because God trusts us to do so.  We cannot break that trust.  If we cease to see the sharing of the gospel as a privilege and see it as more of duty, then we will fail.  Sharing the good news of God’s mercy in the person of Jesus Christ is a privilege.