Necessity is laid upon me

1 Corinthians 9:16

For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!

Let me now speak from my heart. And as I speak from my heart, I pray that God may use the personal words that are spoken to succor some soul. For here I see a mirror of my own experience! A see a carbon copy of what it is to which God has called me. For I am called to preach the gospel! Nevertheless, I have nothing to glory of. This means I cannot boast, I cannot speak of my accomplishments (no matter how very small they may be), I cannot glory in myself. For preaching the gospel is my duty. Necessity is laid upon me! It would be impossible for me not to preach the gospel! It would be hideous, evil, deplorable, and a terrible sin! For this is the very purpose of my existence, the calling to which I am forever bound. Necessity requires it! To do anything else with my life would be to squander what God has given me, to give up pearls for dung, to sell all that I have to receive something abominable in exchange. The calling of God is the most glorious and highest calling. And woe is unto me if I preach not the Gospel of Jesus Christ!

Now, my friend, what is it that you have been called to? That is of necessity what you must do. To do anything instead would be to trade God’s calling for selfish ambition. It is your duty to do what God has given you to do. Maybe you are unsure of what it is that you are to do for Him. Therefore, live faithfully for Him every day, and He will be sure to guide you and reveal to you His plan and will for you. For it is necessary that you do what He has called you to do.

But, we must add a final word. Can we not see that every Christian is called to the ministry of the gospel? Can we not see that every Christian has a duty to declare the gospel to others? Do we not see that this is of necessity? Just because we think we have not been called to the gospel ministry does not mean our duty evaporates. It is still there! Woe is unto you if you do not declare it to others—to your family and friends, and to strangers and to the world. We must be citizens of a heavenly country. And if we are, we have a heavenly message. Let us not be so worldly minded that we are of no heavenly good. You have a message! Declare it! For woe is unto all of us, if we preach not the gospel!

“Oh Father, you have given us all a common calling, to preach and to herald and to declare the wondrous news of Christ’s everlasting gospel. May we not forget that this is our duty. It is not only an option for when we may have a convenient opportunity, but we must live as ambassadors for Christ. We must perform our duty. May it be a part of our daily lives. And especially for those of us who are particularly called to the gospel ministry, may this be the constant and overriding purpose of what we do—to preach the gospel. For otherwise, we have forfeited the primary reason that we are still living. Help us with these things, we pray. And we ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen.”