MAN OF GOD! WHAT? The appellation, “Man of God,” is often used to refer to someone who is a Priest, Bishop, Pastor, Prophet, Apostle, and Evangelist, etc. In the Scripture, it was used in 74 Instances. As a result of the respect and admiration attached to the appellation “Man of God,” it hasnt only been abused and insulted, but also monopolized and employed by some to exploit, manipulate, intimidate and control the lives of others for selfish reasons. It’s for this reason; I have to take out time to shed light on this crucial and sensitive subject. Things To Know! i) A man of God isnt necessarily a Priest, Bishop, Pastor, Prophet, Apostle, and Evangelist as believed. Someone can have an ecclesiastical title and yet not be a man of God. In today’s world, every sphere of the human society is being invaded by opportunists who are seeking means of livelihood and cheap access to influence. This crop of individuals, are more in numbers than those genuinely serving God’s creation. It’s worth noting that, despite the abuse surrounding the appellation “Man of God,” there are still some men & women of God around. That’s Good News! i) You don’t need to be a Priest, Bishop, Pastor, Prophet, Apostle, and Evangelist to be a “Man / woman of God.” You can be a “Man / woman of God,” in any sector of society. Joseph didnt heal the sick, cast out devils nor prophecy on people’s lives, but was a man of God in Government as a minister of economic affairs in Egypt. Daniel, likewise, was a man of God in the public administration of Babylon and Medo-Persian kingdom. Queen Esther wasnt a prophetess, but she was a woman of God. Her role in preserving the Jews in the days of King Ahasuerus remains an inspiration. The monopoly of the appellation “Man of God” by those serving ecclesiastical purposes isnt only misleading, but is a medieval mindset. If only Priests, Bishops, Pastors, Prophets, Apostles, and Evangelists should be attributed the appellation “Man of God,” what of those serving God’s will in the politico-socio-economic-cultural-scientific milieus? What should we call them? God doesnt only use Priest, Bishop, Pastor, Prophet, Apostle, and Evangelist, etc. He is a sovereign God with a universal vision. He anoints some to serve as ecclesiastical ministers, but others in places of public service. Some individuals believe, to serve God, you have to resign from your occupation to join the clergies. There is no idea as erroneous as the above; even though some divine assignments can necessitate the departure from other responsibilities, like Peter left his fishing business to follow Christ, it’s wrong to think it’s a must for one to resign from his or her occupation to join the ministry in order to serve God. You can serve God and be a man or woman of God in the politico-socio-economic-cultural-scientific milieus. Watch-out for more insight in part 2. DrBenard Etta
Posted on: Sat, 26 Apr 2014 19:47:28 +0000
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