Commended Laborers: God

“For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.”

2 Corinthians 10:18

Have you ever wondered, “Who made that person a church leader?” Whether you have ever considered this question, positively or negatively, it is understandable to ask. When regarded positively, it reflects a compliment; when viewed negatively, it raises concerns.

In today's world, it's common to see individuals outside the church perplexed by the actions of supposedly "trusted" ministers of the gospel. Similarly, many within the church community find themselves questioning: Who assesses ministry workers concerning their theology, practices, maturity, character, competence, philosophy, and love for the people they serve?

Who is Commendable?

What truly qualifies a Christian for God’s mission? This question is entirely valid. For any other job in the world, it is a common practice for employers to inquire about references to assess the suitability of a new applicant in their company. This practice ensures the applicant is qualified for what the job requires. Why wouldn't we apply the same principle to Christ's mission?

I believe there are recurring themes in the New Testament, particularly in 2 Corinthians, which shed light on a missionary’s suitability.

God Commends the Worker

The danger in what I’m about to lay out in this point is that it could tend toward two polar extremes, neither of which I’m intending. One extreme would go something like this, "If I haven't personally experienced God's call, then I must not be meant for ministry!" The opposite extreme swings the pendulum in the other direction: "God instructed me to go, so I must be destined to be a missionary, regardless of others' opinions!" If not carefully considered, both of these extremes could lead potential ministry workers into challenging situations. What I'm presenting in my initial point is more of a theological foundation than anything else. Let me explain.

Not everyone has experienced a conversion and commission like the Apostle Paul whose mission was explicitly spelled out by Jesus (Acts 9). Nevertheless, regardless of how one discerns their calling to be a missionary, the Triune God is at work behind the scenes of that decision, fueling the yearning, desire, and pursuit.

We see this pattern in Jesus, who was intentional and selective in choosing His early followers (Matthew 4:18-22). We witness it in the Lord of the Harvest, the One we are instructed to pray to, asking Him to send laborers into His harvest (Matthew 9:35-38). Additionally, we find it in the Spirit, who set apart Paul and Barnabas for missionary work, interestingly after Jesus had already called Paul (Acts 13:1-3). In a broader context, we discern that behind Titus' deep "yearning" for the Corinthians lay a sending God who had placed a concern for them in his heart (2 Cor. 8:16-17).

Understanding that God is the one behind the scenes of world missions should lay a reassuring foundation in the heart of anyone pursuing this path. He not only oversees the world in a general sense but also, in various ways, propels individual workers into His harvest. Ultimately, it is the Lord who prepares and qualifies a believer for the mission. Scripture also emphasizes that a person’s fruit and character, as well as affirmations from people like elders, church leaders, close friends, family, etc. are also important ingredients for a prospective mission worker.