Calling All Christians

2 Peter 1:10-13 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: (11) For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. (12) Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth. (13) Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance; (KJV)  

The role of a teacher or preacher of the word of God is not only to answer their heavenly calling from above, but to also remind others how to make sure they are answering theirs as well; constantly being a reminder to others whether by example or words of encouragement. Your calling came from above; a spiritual calling that can only be answered by spiritual people who have ears to hear and their eyes of understanding enlightened to the truth.  

John 6:63-65 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. (64) But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him. (65) And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father. (KJV)  

As we talked about yesterday and alluded to, the fact that the more we keep ourselves out of the way with mans’ ideas, and seeking their approval, the more effective we are in answering our heavenly calling. God does not need our help or input. Rather the more we stay out of the way with our carnal thinking and reasoning the better off we are. Your calling and the gift of salvation came to us by our Father through the Son, and no man is able to operate in His realm or approach Him unless it is done according to His word.  

Mark 11:27-33 And they come again to Jerusalem: and as he was walking in the temple, there come to him the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders, (28) And say unto him, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority to do these things? (29) And Jesus answered and said unto them, I will also ask of you one question, and answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things. (30) The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men? answer me. (31) And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why then did ye not believe him? (32) But if we shall say, Of men; they feared the people: for all men counted John, that he was a prophet indeed. (33) And they answered and said unto Jesus, We cannot tell. And Jesus answering saith unto them, Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things. (KJV)  

Strong’s definition for authority:
1849  exousia (ex-oo-see'-ah); from 1832 (in the sense of ability); privilege, i.e. (subjectively) force, capacity, competency, freedom, or (objectively) mastery (concretely, magistrate, superhuman, potentate, token of control), delegated influence: KJV-- authority, jurisdiction, liberty, power, right, strength  

Do you know who your source is and who you are receiving your calling and instructions from today? Is your authority based on the truth of God’s word and the strength you have in Christ, or are you waiting for someone to hand you a piece of paper or some other document from man that says you are approved? The Lord knew His calling and who He was answering to because He wasn’t seeking their approval or honor, but rather seeking the only honor that can come from above. Even though some of the people that were challenging His authority knew the truth, rather than acknowledge it, they were more concerned with what the others around them were thinking. And because John nor our Lord were operating within the perimeters of what others perceived as being godly, it was all the more reason for God to use them to preach His word. The letter of the law kills; it chokes the new growth and doesn’t allow the Spirit to have its way. Do you desire freedom, power and liberty? Then you will only find it in the realm of the Spirit. The truth will set you free, not some man-made doctrine or titles of man which many think they need to be approved. Do you desire to receive your heavenly Father’s reward? Then get out into His field and don’t be standing around idle with idle people waiting for some man to tell you what to do.  

Titus 2:11-15 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, (12) Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; (13) Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; (14) Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. (15) These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee. (KJV)  

Can it get any simpler, Church? The truth be known, the simpler we keep it the better off we are. Don’t let anyone despise you and your authority in Christ because they think you haven’t lived up to manmade standards, or are not operating according to mans’ standard procedure. One knows their calling and the liberty in the fact that they answer their call according to what the word of God says and not what others try to dictate. So whatever your calling is, and wherever the Lord is leading you, don’t be distracted by those that think you need mans’ titles of approval before you can be an effective minister of Christ.  

John 4:35-36 Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. (36) And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together. (KJV)  

Don’t be one of those that are standing around idle thinking somewhere down the road they will be more qualified to answer their calling. If the Lord has called you and asked you to go into His field, then let no man despise your calling, including yourself thinking you are not qualified. Most of what we see fashioned around us, and what man calls a church, is done according mans’ standards and not the Lord’s. So the less one gets caught up in these facades the better off they are, and the more effective they will be. You have a direct line of communication to our Father through His Son Jesus Christ; and the more you answer to Him the less concerned you will be about answering to anyone else. Our Lord is calling all Christians with a message of love and hope to all mankind. So keep the line open so that He doesn’t get a busy signal or a disconnected message.  

God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord.