“Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not); a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.” 1 Timothy 2:7
Dear Ones:
Ordination by God is both general and specific. There is a “general” ordination of all believers, disciples of Jesus Christ, because the Lord has declared it: “You have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you, and ORDAINED you, that you should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain.” (Jn. 15:16) Although the Lord seems to be speaking to the twelve disciples here, the principle of ordination applies to every believer, for every believer has been given gifts, and a specific role, ministry and mission, to bear fruit. For most believers, it is in the context of every day living, being about the Father’s business. It is a ministry of light, speaking the truth in love, and showing forth the saving grace and power of Christ, to a lost and dying world. It is this “ordination” that we need to address first. If one is to “enter into” this ordination, with regard to its meaning and purpose, then one must see that it comes from God, and Him alone. Every believer is commissioned by God to follow His Son, bear fruit, and walk in a manner worthy of Christ. It is as the believer abides in Christ, that the purpose of this ordination is revealed. It is in the bearing of fruit, the very fruit of the life of Christ by the Spirit. This is the NORMAL Christian life, one ordained by God. However, there is an ordination that is more specific when it involves a special mission, or purpose. It involves a special submission to the authority of Christ for its accomplishment. We see this in Paul’s life, as he was ordained as a “preacher,” and “apostle,” and a “teacher of the Gentiles.” Paul had a specific ministry, a particular authority for the realization of that ministry, and gifts from God, necessary for the task. As Paul received his “ordination” from God, so every believer receives his or hers. It is “as He wills,” according to God’s wisdom and design. only He can meet the need of the individual believer, so that the purpose of that ordination can be realized.
Associated with the knowledge of one’s ordination, is the corresponding truth of one’s anointing. Here again, the believer must see that it is God who calls, appoints, and provides for every aspect of one’s calling. There is that anointing which is true of every believer, giving him or her access to all that is IN Christ. We are “complete,” fully provided for, as we have Christ’s answer and resource for every need, at all times. However, there is also a special anointing, a more specific one. It is in fact a part of the anointing in Christ, by virtue of our union with Christ. It is also different, in that it applies to each calling, task, mission, and ministry. There is the specific, and entire, provision of God for the specific calling of every believer with regard to the accomplishment of the Father’s will. This is clearly seen, and illustrated, in the life of the Lord Jesus. He was filled with the Spirit from before His birth until the time of His death. It was at the Jordan River, at His baptism, that He was anointed in a special way, with a specific anointing of the Spirit, for the accomplishment of His mission, His work of redemption. If the believer is to be enabled to believe God for the accomplishment of the Father’s will, along with the knowledge of his specific mission or ministry, then the vision of God’s specific grace and anointing must be grasped. All is IN Christ by the Holy Spirit for the entire, and specific, realization of the Father’s will.
Dear Father, Open our eyes to see the riches and resources that we ALL have IN Christ, where “…all our needs are satisfied” and met. Give us grace to grasp also, that for every individual calling, and specific mission, there is special and specific grace provided for the accomplishment of the will of God. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad