“That’s a big one!
If I was addressing an auditorium full of vibrant Christians, I could give a great overview of God’s calling for my life…”
or…
“I’m still looking for confirmation of my calling, I’m just waiting for a prophecy, then…!”
They’re a couple of way’s the “old man” could respond, but neither response submits to a verse that comes to mind from John 3:30 “He must increase, but I must decrease.”.
Just to stop and consider for a moment:
You may recall Adam’s and Eve’s response when The Lord asked them, in Genesis 3:11-13 “who told you that you were naked?”, Adam blamed Eve, then Eve blamed the serpent.
Accountability Offset, (sounds like a financial term) it seems to work sometimes, but just as with finances, there’s a need for reconciliation. Reconciliation between man & God isn’t able to be fulfilled other than through Christ, what a relief to be able to rest in the One who came among us in absolute sinless perfection.
Christ has no darkness, or shadow of sin in Him. Sin and temptation found absolutely no place in our savior (That’s enough to excite the Saint to be changed and get to heaven, just as our brother, the Apostle Paul wrote in Philippians 1:23-25…”).
So it’s clear, that the corruption in me, can’t be blamed on Satan, or any other person, it’s the flesh in me Romans 7 ! One of many verses that make this very clear, is 2Corinthians 5:10. “that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to what he has done, whether it be good or bad“, that’s an example of individual accountability.
In Romans 13:14, we’re told not to give the “old man” any space to satisfy his desires. As disciples of Christ’s, we’re called to take up our cross daily; this means Saints are to be visibly identifiable as Christ’s followers, by words and actions. We’re called by God, to deny the flesh’s desire which seeks to be comfortable in this world apart from God, and instead, to seek to fulfill the will of God each day.
God’s prepared good works for the Saints to accomplish, and He helps a willing heart’s desire to complete those works for His glory. It’s a great relief just to apply the heart to trust and wait on Him, the moment the Saint’s heart is submissive to His will, trusting in His strength and provision; is the commencement of great peace. It’s quite amazing just how close peace is, and how quickly trust raises the Saint to a place of strength of faith.
There’s a great song which you may know…
Jesus bids us shine with a clear, pure light,
Like a little candle burning in the night;
In this world of darkness, we must shine,
You in your small corner, and I in mine.
Jesus bids us shine, first of all for Him;
Well He sees and knows it if our light is dim;
He looks down from heaven, sees us shine,
You in your small corner, and I in mine.
Jesus bids us shine, then, for all around
Many kinds of darkness in this world abound:
Sin, and want, and sorrow—so we must shine,
You in your small corner, and I in mine.
Men can often provide a platform for raising the profile of other men, encouraging one to “fulfill the calling of God” in a manor that raises the profile of man, but these will only be realised if the flesh in the one makes room for the proposal.
I’m not saying that God doesn’t use men to identify His calling in another, the word is clear on that matter…1Timothy 4:14, & 2 Timothy 1:6
The calling of God to every man, woman and child, is a matter of obedience to Him. It can be as simple as:
Giving a cup of cold water in His name.
Making straight paths for your feet.
Meditating on The Word day and night; not by joining a monastery, living in a cold dark room or in a cave in the side of a hill, but by considering His Word as it applies to the task at hand, and praising Him in your heart and actions for His many blessings, so that you’re prepared to give an account of the faith that’s in you, to anyone who asks.
Withdrawing from corrupt vessels so that you’re a vessel to honour, serviceable to the master for every good work.
Seeking His kingdom first.
Acknowledging Him in all your ways.
Submitting to God instead of men.
Trusting that He’ll provide the wisdom, and earthly resources you need, each day.
It can be easily thought, that the most visible members of the body, are the one’s with the greatest responsibilities, but when you consider the activity of Holy Spirit; His humble selfless service to the Church is essential to our life, and this character of humility was clearly visible in Christ’s life, as He fulfilled His responsibilities. Luke 22:27 “For who is greater, he that sits at table, or he that serves? is not he that sits at table? but I am among you as he that serves.”
Humility in service is a characteristic of the new man in Christ,
He must increase, I must decrease.
Some of Gods activities through man, are more visible than others, but whether they’re visible or not,
God’s work is glorious because it’s Gods work.
Romans 14:17-18
For the kingdom of God is not food and drink;
but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.
For he that in these things serves Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men.
Sep18