It is very difficult to be a preacher, and be faithful to that call, and the word of God!
Image of
Bjarne Staalstrøm in Drammen.
The first
time I remember I got confirmation on my preacher calling!
I have
received very many other confirmations, but this was probably one of the first
or the first time I got vindication that I had a preacher calling. Being a
preacher of the Word. I was relatively nyfrelst and nyåndsdøpt. The witness
then in the church on the basis of God's word. When would the one who was
preaching when the church right then to have a little conversation with me. I
went politely away, it was Bjarne Staalstrøm in Drammen. He said these freely
reproduced: "Young man, you are probably a man God would use, I am
convinced that you have a calling to preach!"
I said
something like this: "How can you believe this?"
He said
something like this: "When you testified, I noticed you had a light on and
the word of God that was not from yourself, but you saw what was in the
text."
I said
something like thank you, this was lovely and good to hear.
How could I
have still yet. It is very difficult and challenging to be a preacher of the
Word, especially today where the liberal and secular currents within its
Christianity is so very big and strong!
Let me give
some examples.
You are in a
relationship, be it a Lutheran, free evangelical, Pentecostal / charismatic or
whatever it is. God comes close to you, you get a new light on things you can
not have had before. A new truth from God's word. You know that traditionally
they have not accepted this within its this movement or denomination, what
then?
You are
preaching in a context or Trustees in a ward!
Imagine, you
are opposed to remarriage, you know that the word of God says in the New
Testament does not open up for this. You going to a church - you're brand new
there. You are greeted by Pastor there and he tells you is re-married there.
God has laid it on your heart before you came there to speak against
remarriage, then what?
You have
been part of a movement that has not accepted the female elders and pastors.
Imagine, you
are well established in a context. Your father was with there, all relatives,
you are a preacher there. So things are still happening, new people come. Good
but liberal, not with view of what God's word says, but what can win the
greatest support.
You feel
that you have become a stranger in your own movement, but all relatives and
entourage are with there. What do you do?
Final
Comment:
People
understand or will not understand how hard there is standing in a Christian
context and be a preacher of the Word, not least today!
You are
caught in the middle. And many times it's almost impossible to figure out what
is right, purely human perspective. But the word of God encourages us all to
stand firm, and ask God for wisdom in such situations and contexts.
James 1 5
But if any of you lack wisdom, pray to God, that giveth to all men liberally,
and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith,
nothing wavering; for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed
by the wind. 7 For let not that man think that he shall receive anything from
the Lord, 8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
My rallying
call is rather to break all ties, standing before God, one must stand alone.
Everything will be for the one who goes with God and trust in God's word, it is
my experience. And it has millions experienced before - and I'm sure it will be
the experience for all who come too!
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