How can we "complete the ministry" God has given us today? The Heart of Paul’s Command “Tell Archippus: ‘See to it that you complete the ministry you have received in the Lord.’” (Colossians 4:17) Paul’s single sentence is a loving but urgent reminder: finish the work God specifically entrusted to you. It echoes throughout Scripture for every believer today. What “the Ministry” Includes for Every Believer • A personal assignment: “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:10) • A stewardship from Jesus Himself, not self-appointed roles (1 Corinthians 4:1–2). • A place in the wider body where each part “works together for the growth of the body” (Ephesians 4:16). Keys to Completing the Ministry • Stay rooted in Christ – “Abide in Me, and I in you.” (John 15:4) – Intimacy fuels endurance; without Him we “can do nothing.” (John 15:5) • Know your assignment – Discover gifts (Romans 12:6–8; 1 Peter 4:10) – Listen for the Spirit’s specific leading (Acts 13:2) • Guard the Word and prayer as nonnegotiables – “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” (Colossians 4:2) – The Word equips “for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:17) • Serve in love and humility – “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride.” (Philippians 2:3) – Love makes ministry credible (John 13:35) • Walk wisely with outsiders – “Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, redeeming the time.” (Colossians 4:5) – Our conduct validates our message • Persevere to the finish line – “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” (2 Timothy 4:7) – Faithfulness, not flashiness, receives the crown (1 Peter 5:4) Common Obstacles and Scriptural Remedies • Weariness – “Those who wait upon the LORD will renew their strength.” (Isaiah 40:31) • Discouragement from slow results – “Let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due time we will reap if we do not give up.” (Galatians 6:9) • Comparison with others – “So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.” (1 Corinthians 3:7) • Distractions and entangling sin – “Let us throw off every encumbrance and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with endurance the race set before us.” (Hebrews 12:1) Practical Habits for Faithfulness Today • Schedule daily Scripture intake and prayer before other tasks. • Commit to a local church; serve consistently, not sporadically. • Keep short accounts: confess sin quickly, forgive freely. • Seek godly mentors and peer accountability. • Celebrate small victories; gratitude fuels momentum. • Regularly revisit your calling—journal how God first directed you, and note fresh confirmations. Finishing With Joy The Lord who assigns the ministry also supplies the grace to finish it. “He who calls you is faithful, and He will do it.” (1 Thessalonians 5:24) Keep your eyes on Jesus, and one day you will echo Paul’s triumphant words: “My aim is to finish my course and the ministry I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of God’s grace.” (Acts 20:24) |
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