Everyone who puts their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ becomes a part of His church. Acts 2:47 show us, “And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.” (NKJV) As part of the body of Christ, EVERY MEMBER has a role to play for the proper functioning of the body. Ephesians 4, Romans 12, and 1 Corinthians 12 all tell us of different ‘gifts’ the Lord has given and 1 Corinthians 12:11 says, “But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to EVERY MAN severally as he will.” It is so important that we all realize this. If you are saved, you have a function within the church, the body of Christ. 1 Corinthians 12:27 says, “Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.”

When does ministry begin? When are we equipped to be able to serve others? We are told in 2 Timothy 4:5 to, “do the work of an evangelist.” An evangelist is one who tells others of the salvation that is offered to all through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 4:11 says, “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers…” While some have the gift of evangelism, we are ALL told to DO THE WORK of an evangelist. All believers should be involved in sharing the Gospel with others. We can do this right after we are saved! One who is truly saved has been shown and has been convinced from the scriptures that we are all lost sinners who are in need of salvation and that there is only one way of salvation…through faith in Christ. A new convert can share with others how they were saved and how others can be saved the same way!

2 Peter 3:18 tells us to “…grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.” Even as new believers, there should be a thirst and hunger to learn more about the Lord. Just as a newborn babe desires milk, a true babe in Christ will desire to learn more. We have a natural desire to read the Word of God, and as we read, the Spirit of God will teach us precious truths. The Lord Jesus said in John 14:26, “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” The Lord commended those in Thessalonica in Acts 17:11, “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and SEARCHED THE SCRIPTURES DAILY, whether those things were so.” May we all be faithful to study God’s Word every day. As we learn and grow, we should begin to share with others the precious truths the Lord has given to us.

My point is that there is no reason to quit school to serve the Lord. Serve Him right now where you are in whatever capacity He gives you to serve Him in. Serve Him now as He leads. Serve Him with what He has given you. Live each day for Him, seeking to minister to others as the Lord leads. You do not need a degree to serve Him. You need a desire to please Him in all things without a need to be recognized for what you have done. You need the heart of Isaiah who said to the Lord in Isaiah 6:8, “Here am I; send me.” You need the heart of Paul who said to the Lord upon his conversion in Acts 9:6, “Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?” It goes without saying, but I’ll say it anyway, you need God given knowledge of the Word of God to lead you and to show you truths to teach others. I think of the words of the Apostle Paul in 1 Timothy 1:12, “And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry.” (235.6)