Am I not as free as anyone else? Am I not an apostle? Haven’t I seen Jesus our Lord with my own eyes? Isn’t it because of my work that you belong to the Lord? Even if others think I am not an apostle, I certainly am to you. You yourselves are proof that I am the Lord’s apostle. [1 Corinthians 9.1-2]
How do we tell if someone belongs to the Lord? What is the "proof?"
The "proof" is souls brought to Christ. The "proof" is the work of the ministry of the Gospel to the lives of others.
Jesus said that not all who call out "Lord, Lord" will enter the Kingdom, but those who do the work of the ministry of the Gospel will:
“Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. [Matthew 7.21]
So, what is the ministry of the Gospel? What is the will of God?
It is to do the same works of Jesus on the earth. Here is what Jesus said about Himself:
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, and that the time of the Lord’s favor has come.” [Luke 4.18-19]
And, how did Jesus accomplish these works? By the Holy Spirit.
I wish it were enough just to "know" these things... But it is not. We must have proof that we are apostles of the Lord. Paul said it and Jesus said it before him.
Father, I want the proof of apostleship to be evident in my life!
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