God Is Still Looking For "Amateurs"

The word “amateur” has been redefined over the years and has lost the luster of its original meaning. Our English word comes from the Latin word "amatorem" (nom. amator) “lover,” from "amatus," pp. of amare “to love.” An amateur then, is someone who does something simply for the sheer love of it.

In our society, receiving a Ph.D. and a six figure salary moves us into a more elite category — that of a “professional.” The reasoning is that if someone is willing to pay us for our service, we must be really good — an “expert” in our field of endeavor. On the other side of the coin, an “amateur”  is considered to have less skill or talent, and may not have any educational degree at all.

However, the Bible presents a different ideology. For example, the religious “professionals” of Jesus’ day were using their position to gain power and prestige for themselves — not to serve people (cf. Matthew 23:1-7; John 11:47-48). Jesus’ teaching was exactly opposite — those who would be the greatest among His followers, would be a “minister” or “servant” (Matthew 20:25-27; cf. Matthew 18:4; Matthew 23:11).

Jesus did not choose individuals who were wise, mighty, or noble by human standards (1 Corinthians 1:26; cf. Acts 4:13; Matthew 11:25). He sought those willing to follow Him and be trained for loving service (Matthew 4:18-20).

Today, God is still looking for “amateurs” — those who will serve Him just for the sheer love of it. Compelled by our love for Jesus, may we, like the disciples of the first century, proclaim the love of God to the world by following Christ’s example of loving and serving others (Acts 10:38; cf. 1 Peter 2:21; 1 John 2:6).

—Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets