Preaching is ABSOLUTELY different from a salesman or a businessman making a sale. Absolutely NO similarities whatsoever! Not the format, not the attitude, not the interest, not anything similar.
[@more@]
When we preach about the Kingdom of Heaven, of Christ Jesus our Lord, we are sharing the grace of God with those who have not come to know.
In sales, there is competition and one is doing his best to convince anyone of his product/service. There could be cheat, there could surely be integrity too. But one thing is for sure, there must be gain.
But we Christians do not preach to gain. As there is nothing to gain from what is foreknown to God except rewards of our submission to Christ. For that kind of reward is different than gaining. We labor in this manner, suffer hardship, resistance, all in the name of God to complete what is been given us, a serious responsibility. Something we ought do with no complaints, with all our capability.
Secondly, we Christians know this is the only way for us as well as for those not yet know they were chosen. Nor do we know if they were chosen unless God reveals to us. Therefore, we must preach, so that we may see God's miracle working through our hands and allow us the opportunity to admire and giving glory back to God. Thanking God for such witness.
Serving God, can never be a toleration of our religion, our belief, to such a point that we made certain temporary sacrifices of our own belief to satisfy and thereby hopefully win the faith of non-believers.
However, we must note what Paul said in Philipians 1:15~ that we shouldn't take this to quarrel with others who are not preaching with such integrity. Because the entire goal of our work here on Earth is to glorify God's name by spreading out His good name. Nevertheless, God will deal with our works, regardless of the success we would have, during His judgement. So we must still do all things according to God's command despite the result, for God is the only One who is doing the actual work and will accomplish His unbreakable will and plan. God will use anyone He pleases, even the hardened ones, to glorify His name. Therefore seek for God's mercy, give thanks all the time. Fear the Lord our God.
We preach the one true God. Nothing else can be of equal level to God. Absolutely Nothing. This is not the same as sales.
We must do our jobs as Christians, but we must not determine for God what the outcome of God's work should be. For we are still under God's mercy even now. God's own work, let God take care. We just need to actively, willingly, whole heartedly, enthusiastically, do our parts as commanded by God.
It is according to God's will, not our wills. Following our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ's example. Sadly, many today have misunderstood this verse such that they would say "It is according to God's will, also my will as well".
The only way to know God, is through the Bible and personal devotion.
