I Want to be Like Apelles
Men, I want to be like this fellow I heard about named Apelles, and when you hear about him you probably will too. As far as I know this guy is only named once in Scripture but oh what a commendation is given him!
The Apostle Paul, in the last chapter of Romans, is greeting his coworkers who have labored with him in the work and in verse 10 he says this about our friend Apelles: “Greet Apelles, tested and approved in Christ.”
“Tested and approved” – have you been tested and approved? We’ve all been tested, right? I know I have been tested many times. To be honest though, sometimes I passed the test and sometimes I failed the test.
Twenty years ago this coming July 1st the church I was the pastor of closed. While I made my mistakes as pastor, I didn’t cause the breakdown. However, I became very depressed. Like Elijah, I felt alone and attacked and I asked the District Superintendent to find another pastor for the church. Instead, they decided to close it.
Looking at the situation from the outside no one could blame me, but I knew better. I knew that God wanted me to continue as pastor and lead the few people that were left in seeking God in prayer to see what He would do. I failed the test.
Gratefully, God, in His mercy, healed me, restored me and put me back in ministry through Paraclete Men’s Ministries. I share all this for one simple reason, to encourage you to persevere and pass whatever test you are going through right now, but if you have not passed the test, to remind you that your God is gracious and merciful and will forgive and restore you so that ultimately you will finish well! Either way, my friend, don’t give up!