The Stewardship of the Gospel

“That I might be a sacrificial priest of Jesus Christ to the Gen­tiles, as a priestly steward of the gospel of God, that the offering of the Gentiles might be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit!” Romans 15:16.

The priest has an important ministry in the church, but if he can­not serve, the soulish life will reign. There may be many good works, but if the “blood of the self-life” has not flowed, they are not accept­able before God. In that case the food that is served cannot be “eaten” by the body of Christ. A religious assembly can be an excellent as­sembly, but without the priestly ministry, they cannot be built up to be the body of Christ.

Soulish people have not come to the “veil”; therefore they find nothing to judge in their lives. Consequently, their activities in the church are usually a cause of unrest. However, the ministry of a priest causes one’s sacrifices and works to be acceptable.

The forgiveness of sins alone is not the entire stewardship of the gospel; it is an offer of grace, something that is done for us; but the priest’s sacrificial service in being a steward of the gospel is per­formed in us and always leads us further into the blood of the cove­nant, to the witness of Christ. 1 John 5:6-8.

By and large there is no stewardship of the gospel in religious assemblies other than the forgiveness of sins. The word of God about the priest having to perform a service is not proclaimed; therefore people do not see that other law in their members (Romans 7:23), and they are not cleansed. Romans 8:13.

We must take care to proclaim the whole counsel of God concern­ing salvation. Although not many people will follow, we can rest assured that those who love the truth—the firstfruits—will hear the Shepherd’s voice. They have the right attitude of mind to bring the required sacrifices.

It is our calling to build the body of Christ. Therefore we need to love this service, so we can find our life and receive grace to die to ourselves. Then we grow up to become spiritual people who can be a part of the building that will last for all eternity.