Ordination Is A God-Given Tool

# 36 Today's Prime Time Devo comes from: 1Ti 1:18 This charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, 19 having faith and a good conscience, This laying on of hands accompanied by prophetic utterances is apparently a very big deal to Paul and the early church. It was to be a basis or platform from which Timothy could confidently wage the good warfare on behalf of the kingdom of God in the midst of a sin sick world. Timothy's confidence stems from the fact that God is the source, because prophecy is of God! Using the hands of Paul and the elders, God deposited this gift into Timothy! Timothy was instructed to have faith in his ordination and to work out this calling in a good conscience. In other words, Timothy, “don't doubt that your ordination was of God.” The laying on of hands by Paul and the elders was a literal transfer of the pastoral office with the blessing of God. As Paul was so called to serve when Ananias laid hands on him accompanied by prophetic utterances, (Acts 9:17) so Timothy was now called to serve in the Gospel ministry with authority and power as a right servant of God and of Jesus Christ to declare God's Word both in public and private, and to carry out all other duties as a called and ordained servant of God. Though some may question his youth and though doubts may assail him, he is encouraged here by Paul to believe that this whole procedure was of God, and guess what? When it is faithfully practiced in accordance with biblical guidelines...it still is of God. This system of ordaining pastors is of course open to abuse. It's why Timothy was urged not to be hasty in ordaining the next generation of pastors. (1 Tim 5:22) It's why there were such stringent requirements laid out later on in this letter in chapter three. Ordination is a gift from God bestowed through His church. It is a grace, that provides confidence and a good conscience for those who serve and it is not to be taken lightly! It is to be highly valued by the church and by those who are ordained. Father, thank You for this gift, help us to not abuse it, rather help us use it as a tool to fight the good fight of faith.