God has called you for a purpose. Today, I would like you to get the big picture of what God has called you to… God has called us for something great and glorious. While getting along with the nitty-gritty of daily life, do not miss out on this great picture of glory! Yes, we came to Jesus; yes, we were cleansed from our sins; and yes, our salvation is sealed with His Spirit. But, that is not all that we are here for!
2 Peter 1:9, 10 says: For he who lacks these things is short-sighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins. Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble;
If you are here, and do not know God’s purpose for you and what you are called for, clearly you are not seeing the big picture! Peter calls such persons, spiritually short-sighted and blind. God has called us for a purpose as individuals and as believers together…
Heavenly Calling
Hebrews 3:1 “Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus.”
Our calling is not of this world. That is why we should never be bogged down by earthly issues. We are called to fix our eyes upward… to those things that are heavenly and eternal. Paul says “I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” [Phil. 3:14]
You have to let go of the earthly things to lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of you [Phil. 3:12]. It is YOUR choice-whether you will hold on to earthly things or lay hold of heavenly things; to lay-off temporal things for those that are eternal. Paul advises Timothy, “Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called…” [1 Tim. 6:12]
Called to Fellowship
1 Cor. 1: 9 “God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.”
This calling to fellowship is not just Sunday fellowship that we are exposed to; it is so easy singing and enjoying God’s presence on Sundays and still not getting into a fellowship with God’s Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. This fellowship is more than just prayer! This is the rock-ribbed confidence in the God who is faithful, and growing into a fellowship with His Son-Jesus Christ, day by day.
Everyday with Jesus-that’s the fellowship we are called for. Not just Sundays, and not just win-days-but every hour every day; knowing Him and knowing His presence, wherever we are. The Bible says, Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him (Gen. 5:24). What a wonderful way to walk this earth!
Whether we understand or not, whether we have sorrow or pain, we can commit and commune everything to God. Our spirit is made for this-to commune with God. Sometimes, it is not even words; we need not say anything and yet we can commune with God. Oh yes, Jesus understands every pain, every tear-for He has passed this way before us. He is altogether lovely!
Called to freedom
Galatians 5:13 “For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another”
Freedom from sin, freedom from all man-made religions… Free to love and serve.
Called to purity
1 Thessalonians 4:7 “For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness.”
We are called in holiness and sanctification. We must learn to possess our own vessel (body) in sanctification and honor (v3). This is our high calling. It is only right to put away every uncleanness, and embrace His Spirit. Verse 8 continues “Therefore he who rejects this does not reject man, but God, who has also given us His Holy Spirit.”
Called to be saints
1 Corinthians 1:2 “To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all who in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:”
Called for a purpose
2 Timothy 1:9 says “… who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began…”
And the familiar verse in Romans 8:28 that goes “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God and to those who are the called according to His purpose.”
There is a purpose; there is grace sufficient; and you are the chosen and the called in Christ Jesus before time began. What a combination for good success! Yes, ALL THINGS work together for good!
And what is that purpose? It is to be conformed to the image of God’s Son-Jesus Christ. Yes, salvation is experienced in a moment; conforming to His image takes a lifetime. And all things are working together for His purpose-yes, even the troublesome neighbor, the difficult co-worker, the obstinate client and the disrespectful stranger… all working a work in us that is good.
Called for suffering
1 Peter 2: 21-23: “For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: who committed no sin, nor was deceit found in His mouth; who, when he was reviled did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously;”
We are not here to live as we like, once we have come to Jesus. We are here to follow the footsteps of Jesus. So the next time someone insults you, look at Jesus and follow His steps. Do not imagine, that God is working all things together for good according to ‘your’ purposes; but He is working according to His purpose for your good.
Therefore bless those who curse you. Do good to those who hate you. Pray for those who persecute you. (Matt. 5: 44). God has called us to an incomparable spiritual wealth-To be like Jesus Christ. What is the use of all material wealth, if you have not found the purpose for which you were called? What if you should gain the whole world, but lose your own soul?
Jesus is calling us to lay our treasures in heaven; where it does not rot. Ephesians is a good book to start to find out your purpose and calling. The 6 chapters of Ephesians can be divided into two parts: The first 3 chapters talk about our heavenly calling; and the last 3 chapters about how to walk in that heavenly calling. There is a whole new world out there! Get going through your calling. God bless you. Amen.
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