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Bible Question: About
1.5 years ago I asked God to tell me what He wanted me to do. Then
a thought entered my head that God wanted me to be a pastor or
missionary. So I asked God to confirm this through a sign. Then
I went to bed and I heard a loud bang. The entire house shuddered.
I was the only one in the house who noticed it. Everyone else remained
asleep. About twenty minutes later my miniature totem pole fell
over. Then about thirty minutes after that I went to the kitchen
to get something to eat and the oven was humming. As I turned to
look at the oven a ball of fire flew out of it. It was as large
as the oven itself. Several weeks later I saw crosses in unusual
places. Now people are telling me that I need to get into volunteer
work. Everything seems to be pushing me to become a pastor or missionary.
Can you give me some advice? (This has been summarized from the
author’s submitted question.)
Bible Answer: Your
experience is unusual. Most of the events may be related. It is possible
that your experience is easily explained. However, the answer to
your question can be found in biblical principles and circumstances.
1st
Biblical Principle. The
most important principle in determining if God wants you to serve
Him as a pastor or missionary is found in the answer to two questions, "Do
you love God with all your heart?" and "Are you seeking
an intimate relationship
with God?" God's great passion is that we love Him, want
to know Him, and are seeking an intimate relationship with Him. After
His return to life, Jesus' first question to the Apostle Peter was, "Do
you love me more than anything else?"
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So
when they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon,
son of John, do you love Me more than these?” (NASB)
John 21:15 |
That
is the ultimate question for anyone who is thinking about serving
God in any way - pastor, elder, or missionary. Your desire should
not be to become a pastor or a leader. Your desire should be to serve
God. Your desire should be to serve Him in this way because you believe
He wants you to do this. Your desire to do this should be driven
by an inner desire to please your friend, the Lord Jesus.
2nd
Biblical Principle. God
has given us some divine principles to use in determining who should
be a pastor or missionary. God’s
first requirement is that the person must be a Christian. That is,
this person must believe that Jesus is God, He died to forgive our
sins, and only Jesus can forgive our sins. The person must also believe
that he or she commits sins and want to stop. Christians call this
repentance. God forgives those who are grieving over their sins.
Jesus said that He did not come to save those who thought they were
good people. He came to save those who believe they need God's forgiveness.
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I
have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.
(NASB) Luke 5:32 |
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