Neither do we go beyond our limits by boasting of work done by others. Our hope is that, as your faith continues to grow, our area of activity among you will greatly expand, so that we can preach the gospel in the regions beyond you. For we do not want to boast about work already done in another man's territory. But, "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord." For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.
Once again, Paul emphasized the importance of territory. The Lord has a different calling for each one of us. We need to be faithful in the territory God has given us. Our work can only be measured in the territory that God has given us. When God called Abraham to leave Ur to go into a specific land, Abraham was not supposed to stop at any place he wished. The land of Canaan is not better than Ur, but it was the place that God has chosen to bless the Israelites. Abraham obeyed and entered the land and God's blessing came on them and his family multiplied. Afterwards, the Israelites refused to enter the land of Canaan, and hence wandered in the desert for 40 years without accomplishments. Today, many people serve without success or growth because they did not see the territory that God measured out for them. In the church the past years, I have seen many teachers trying to be pastors, many pastors trying to be prophets, and none of these were successful. We need to clearly know where our territories are and obey God's leading to enter that territory so that we may see God's blessings.
There was a gang leader in New York who became a Christian in 1985. The Lord saved him from a great crisis and he was released from prison. The Lord called him back into prison ministry full time once he came out from prison. However, he did not want to go back to prison. He wanted to do youth ministry. He wrote hundreds of job application for youth ministry, but had no success. Finally he received a call from a prison warden, inviting him to come speak to the prisoners. When he went, God's Holy Spirit moved mightily and many prisoners came to receive Christ. The news spread and ever prison warden wanted him to go to their prison. Now this man has the greatest prison evangelism ministry.
Brothers and sisters, do you understand the territory God has measured out for you? Paul says he will not boast about work already done in another man's territory. He fully understands where his territory is, and how to do God's work within his territory to expand God's kingdom. May God open our eyes to understand our territory, whether in the family or spiritual life or ministry, so that our service may be approved by the Lord.
Pray with Pastor Tong
Lord, pray that you will open our hearts to understand your will and understand the territory you have given us. I pray especially for those who are discouraged in their ministry. Lord, may you help them understand once again their territory and the scope of their ministry. Lord, may you bless them and cause their ministry to be fruitful. I thank you and pray in the victorious name of Jesus, Amen!
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