Is every Christian called to serving? How to know the call?
“Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose (Romans 8:27-28)”.
The verse above describes 2 things:
- Those who love God are those called according to His purpose.
- God promises that all things work together for good to those who love God.
In the New Testament, terminology “are called” ('kletos’) and “calling” ('klesis’) appears 22 times. All declares the call of God for His people for divine purposes. This call is not merely the call for being a pastor or missionary, but all churches are called by God for which ‘kletos’ + preposition ‘ek’ = ‘ekklesia’. The terminology ‘ekklesia’appears 115 times, means “the-called-out ones’ and interpreted as “church”.
A church which is established by the grace of God must contain individuals called by God. They are called out of worldliness and entered into Christ. All activities and the way of life do not be “conformed to this world” (Roman 12:2) but to live in a way that is worthy of the calling to which you have been called” (Eph 4:1).
Paul said that He was “called to be apostle and set apart for the Gospel (Roman 1:1). This is special call as a servant of God for the rest of his life (full timer).
By the same terminology Paul said that members in Roman and Corinthian church are called by Christ in their ministry as well (Roman 1:6; I Corinthians 7:22). This is a general ministry to be done by every Christian. Neither any may proclaim that he is not called by God for ministry as all children of God are servants of God.
In practice, many Christians have reasonable ground not to join in the ministry. For example: “ I don’t have any talent, I don’t have high educational background, I’m weak and dumb,; etc. I urge them to read I Corinthian 1:26-28. It is said that:
“When you are called, according to human measurement not many of you were wise by human standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is nonsense in the world to make the wise feel ashamed. God chose what is weak in the world to make the strong feel ashamed. And God chose what is insignificant in the world, what is despised, what is nothing, in order to destroy what is something ……………”
Those verses do not mean that all people used by God is nonsense people, but it shall mean God remains to be able to use us even though we are deemed as “no use”. In fact, God has promised that all things work together for good to us who love Him (Roman 8:28). In modernized society with rapid competition, worldly companies and organizations merely want to use “smart, good looking, strong and noble” people. However God calls all kind of people who “love Him” (Romans 8:28) and “holy people (saints)” to be perfected (“katartismos”, Eph 4:12), may be interpreted as “equipped by” or armed with”. Praise to the Lord that it is because of the willingness to serve God, then we who are weak and nonsense “enhanced” to be smart and strong people. One of the faith figures,A.W. Tozer, said “God will use people who always rejoice and accept God’s discipline or teaching”.
There are many people serving God temporarily. It means, if they are “happy, unburden, greatly blessed, praised” then they want to serve God. But if the circumstances deteriorate, then they are no longer interested in serving. This is egoistic humane character. Just remember that “He never regrets his grace and calling (Roman 11:29). God’s call is “permanently”, not temporarily.
The last, how we know God’s call to us respectively:
- “Strive earnestly” (II Pet 1:10a) to know God’s call.
- “If you obey it, you won’t be stumbled” (II Pet 1:10b).
- Asking (in pray) .. so the eyes of your hearts enlightened, you will know the hope of His calling (Eph 1:17-18).
- The more we love God, the more we believe in God’s call. According to Roman 8:28,”they who love Him” is identical to “they who are called according to God’s plan. Therefore, obedience upon God’s order and encouragement of His love are the foundations of our ministry.
After we understand the God’s call, let us be ready to take the ministry with full heart and thanksgiving. As reflected by a recruitment poster from US government/army saying “Your Country needs YOU,” then the church needs Christians who love Him and are willing to serve Him, “ the Church needs you.
(Quoted and translated from an article “Answers to Contemporary Questions”, P.57-58, Dr. David Pan Purnomor, Seminary Alkitab Asia Tenggara, Malang, 1994).
