1 Peter 4:11, Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
The Bible tells us that believers have the mind of Christ. (1 Corinthians 2:16) It also tells us that we can be “filled with the fullness of Christ” and “that we can be filled with the fullness of God.” (John 14:12; Ephesians 3:19) We should not be surprised that we are told that we can speak the Words of God. God is a communicator at His core. He tells us constantly of His love, His judgement, His sacrifice, and His promises of presence in our lives. He continues His message from the Bible through His people –
Christians.
Why would God be so silent, even when he speaks through His Biblically inspired people. Maybe we misread the voice of God because it comes from the congregational pulpits and Bible classes and Bible studies and not the sky. People often look for reasons to disbelieve. They blame preachers, teachers and godly friends for their humanity, and dismiss God’s message because it has any human contact. Be sure of this, every person who speaks the truth of God’s wisdom, carries His authority to do so. While it is the right thing for us to be discerning, be sure that we can know that God speaks the truth through His people. I’m not speaking of divine inspiration as much as the reflection of Biblical truth. If we want to hear God, listen to scripturally correct people, and you will see and hear divine wisdom. Our prayer is that God would speak through us, and be sure He does when we are submissive and obedient.
This is what Peter is urging us to do. Some would relegate this verse to a formal ministry position – but be sure it goes further than that. This message was written to Christians in general – not just preachers. All of us have the divine mandate to carry God’s wisdom to the world. We should be both Godly speakers and attentive listeners because we have a sacred responsibility to observe His holy will. People are good at being distracted and losing focus. When we have our minds and hearts set on something other than God, we are in the spiritual wasteland that got us in a lost condition to start with. We can have divine insights. In fact, that should be the very root of who and what we are. It’s what we were created to do.
The only image we are cast in is God’s. We need to declare His Word to His world and recognize it when we see and hear it in others. This identification is facilitated by regular study, and active faith in our Savior. Help others who might be sharing this wisdom with your support. Always give a hearty AMEN to anyone who echoes the voice of God. Are you speaking divine things to this lost world? Are you the voice of God in this distracted world? I pray focus and blessing for you. Carry the message…