Being A Novice Must Come Before Skill
I have never taken a class on becoming a medical professional. My hat goes off to those who have become skilled in all areas of medicine—we all will need your skills eventually! Suffice it to say, if you have a medical condition that requires someone to identify and treat you back to health, you don’t want to call me. I have read many articles about health, my wife and I have shifted our diets to a healthier standard, and I try to walk and exercise regularly. But this falls so far short of the knowledge I would need to diagnose an ill person. I am simply not skilled in that area.
This is like evangelism for many of us. Many believe we must be skilled to be involved in evangelism and use it as an excuse for not beginning at a novice level. Let me encourage you to listen to the counsel God gave the Apostle Paul when Paul asked three times for his “infirmity in the flesh” to be removed: “My strength is made powerful in weakness!”
Paul believed he could be far more effective if his physical ailment was removed from him. God answered him and taught him that physical healing would not be of any benefit in the spiritual realm. In fact, it would make him less effective in the purpose he was called for. What would be the next request from Paul which his own wisdom would devise? Eloquence, wealth or physical handsomeness? “None of these matter” was God’s response to Paul; it was the power of God making him so effective.
I have heard so many of our brethren claim they could become more powerful in reaching out to people if they were more eloquent, or had a different personality, if they had this or that; the excuses go on and on. Let me encourage you to understand that God made you as you are. He placed you in the Kingdom body for a reason and whether you are a little toe or a mouth, you have a valuable role. It is fine to learn from those among us who have developed higher skill levels, but we cross the line when we think we need to have the same skill level or personality as someone else. Paul said to imitate him as he imitates Christ. He did not say to “become Paul.”
It is important to understand that the church is a mixed bag of nuts (a silly comparison meant to make a point). This is critical because the whole human race is a mixed bag of nuts! If we are to reach out to this world lost in sin, it is going to take all of us to accomplish this. My personality may not be effective in reaching very introverted people. However, they may be able to relate to the Christian who has the same personality. This isn’t a hard and fast rule, but a general observation I have seen play out over the years.
John prayed that Gaius would be spiritually and physically strong equally. Most of us have had times when we realized we need to lose weight or begin an exercise regimen to become healthier. It is tough at first and like so many New Year resolutions, falls by the wayside when we don’t see results we’d hoped for right away. The physical side and the spiritual side are very similar. Beginning to step into your God-gifted role in evangelism will be met with the same temptations to quit. Satan hates the fact that you are reading this and considering stepping up and becoming better equipped to oppose his goal of leaving lost souls right where they are at. Don’t let him win your attention! He only destroys, and his destruction lasts an eternity with no hope of reversal once there!
Remember this fact: God knew we were going to lose our sinlessness even before He created us. He also knows that we will mess up at just about everything we begin to put our mind to in the beginning. Unlike the diet or exercise program we begin, please don’t quit. You must be a novice until you grow into a more skilled individual in evangelism.
God not only expects you to make many mistakes, but He accepts it also! His acceptance is only there when you are trying. He does not accept the ones who bury their gifts and are idle.
Fulfill the purpose God created you for and let’s make a difference in the lives of those around us by sharing the greatest gift of all: salvation in Jesus the Christ!