The Called Out Ones

"Then He [Jesus] said to them, Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” - Matthew 4:19

"But Jesus said to him, Follow Me, and let the dead bury their own dead.” - Matthew 8:22

"As Jesus passed on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, Follow Me. So he arose and followed Him." - Matthew 9:9

"Then Jesus said to His disciples, If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me." - Matthew 16:24

"Jesus said to him, If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” - Matthew 19:21

"Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”- John 8:12

I have just started re-reading a book entitled, "The Call", subtitled "Finding and fulfilling the Central Purpose of your life" by Os Guinness. That book, among others including the Bible, of course, has been instrumental in helping my understand . My journey with God started well before I new I was on a journey and one day as I walked along the road of life, my eyes were opened and I saw the Lord. And He said, "Follow Me". Like Matthew the tax collector, the disciples, the rich young ruler and so many thousands after them and before me and many more thousands after me, by the Spirit of God, the Son of God challenged me to I lay down my nets and follow Him.

OS Guinness can be a bit academic and digs deep into the subject of calling - and my guess is that most of us would be happy with a simpler description - not simplistic ( that is treating a complex issue like God's calling of His children as if it is much simpler than it really is) I think we would prefer if he would just get to the "bottom line" - a quick but sufficient answer. As I would say, "Just tell me what time it is and not how to build a watch!" In my nice voice of course. So here goes.

We all have a primary and secondary calling. Our primary calling is what all of those verses that spoke of following Jesus are about. God has called us to salvation - through and by faith in Jesus. We are to follow Jesus - not just hanging out with Him and watching Him, but doing what Jesus does - becoming conformed to His image - an obedient child of God - doing the Father's will - adopting it so His will is our will. Loving God and forsaking our love for the "world". That we would have the mind of Christ. "We are called to Someone" - not to something like a denomination or legalistic religious ritual. 

The second calling, once being primary called by God to God, is that we should think, speak, live, and act entirely for Him. Many times we Christians confuse calling as a vocation associated with some form of ministry. Some are gifted by God for a specific purpose for a lifetime or a season and that, we think, is what it means to be called - like being called to missions or to preach. 

"I [Paul] was appointed a preacher and an apostle—I am speaking the truth in Christ and not lying—a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth." - 1 Timothy 2:7

"And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ," - Ephesians 4:11-12

In limiting the definition of the second calling to what Paul describes as appointments in Ephesians 4, we essentially excuse ourselves from being called by God secondarily. Paul's travels are referred to as missionary journeys - but he was on mission to do those things he delineated in Ephesian (preach, teach, evangelize, plant churches) - fulfill his appointment. But what about the rest of us? God expects us to plant, water, and cultivate right where we are. To be the light of Christ in our homes, our neighborhoods, our schools, our work places. Someone in the Bible Study we attend asked that we pray that they would be bolder in their witness to the people in their workplace. We don't have to break out our Bible and stand on our desk shouting out the Gospel for all to hear to be a witness. And we may not have our job for long. Notice Paul wrote that those appointments are primarily to equip the Saints. The rest of us who are not limited to doing those things, but equipped - appointed to be a light - just like Jesus is the Light of the world  (John 8:12) - right where we are. To quote Pastor Rick Warren, God has SHAPEd (sic) us to fulfill our calling or purpose. SHAPE includes spiritual gifts, heart or passion, abilities, personality, and experience. In other words, not only has God called us - appointed us - but He has equipped us to fulfill our calling. All we must do is be faithful to work it out.

I suggested to the person in the Bible study that the next time someone shared something with them at work that they should ask them discretely if they could pray for them. To become spiritual aware of the opportunities let our light shine that we are given everyday. Martie and I have never had anyone refuse prayer - even waitresses in restaurants. God has called us out of a sinful world and has called us to be a light in that same world.   

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory. 

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone