Worthy of His Calling

How important is the cross of Jesus to your daily life? For many Christians, going to church is of little if any importance. For many regular church-goers, their life is so compartmentalized that they can go most or all of the week without giving a thought to their relationship with Christ and His church. Ephesians 4:1 calls us “to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.” To what is the apostle calling us? We are called to three goals.

Called to Be Saints

First, we are called to be saints. What is a saint? Have you ever said, “I’m no saint!” The religious world has its own definitions for what a saint is, but the Bible considers every person who stands right with God to be a saint. The word means one who is set apart for God’s service. The apostle Paul wrote to the believers in Rome, “To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints . . .” (Romans 1:7). 1 Peter 1:1-2 is more specific: “Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To God’s elect, strangers in the world, . . . who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by his blood . . . .” He does not call them saints, but he does refer to the work of the Spirit as sanctification—the process of making one a saint. Although they are “strangers in the world,” that is, not at home, they are the elect, the chosen ones, of God, an election based on God’s foreknowledge of their “obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by his blood.” No doubt he was referring to their obedience to the gospel—see 4:17 and 2 Thessalonians 1:8—through their repentance and baptism in the Name of Christ (Acts 2:38).

Called to be saints is a call to become one of God’s people and then to act like it.

Called to Persevere

Obedience to the gospel leads us into a life of trials and troubles. Being a Christian is not easy. Included in the trials is opposition from those who reject our new way of life and our devotion to Jesus: “In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Timothy 3:12). The second half of the book of Revelation describes in apocalyptic (highly symbolic) language the continuing battle between Christ and Satan, but fought out in the lives of the followers of each. Knowing that it would be difficult for Christians to keep the faith under such circumstances, the text points out, “This calls for patient endurance on the part of the saints who obey God’s commandments and remain faithful to Jesus” (14:12).

“Patient endurance” refers to perseverance, not just hanging on or surviving. It demands continuing in the God-ordained purpose for one’s life. “So then, men ought to regard us as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the secret things of God. Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful” (1 Corinthians 4:1-2). Although the “secret things” had been entrusted to the apostles of Christ, they were handed down through Scripture to us all.

Service to Christ—see next point—is a beautiful and rewarding endeavor (see Mark 10:30). However, it is accompanied by all kinds of troubles, calling for perseverance: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds,  because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.  Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” (James 1:2-4). Only faith in Christ can produce this perseverance.

Called to Serve

The call to be a saint is not just a call to be good. It is a call to be good for something. Disciples of Jesus often wonder, what is God’s plan for my life? In recent decades, much Christian literature has  been geared toward discovering one’s “spiritual gifts.” Too often, such workshops and workbooks have just left a person with more knowledge but not more service. An interesting passage regarding the actions/service God wants from us is 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12. Paul prays “that our God may count you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith. We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

An examination of this prayer leads us to the following answers regarding what God wants us to be engaged in: (1) by following Paul’s counsel we will be counted worthy of our calling; (2) God’s power is available to us; and (3) except in those rare cases such as the prophets and apostles when God spoke directly to them, with specific instructions, we are free to choose how we will serve Him as long as it has a good purpose, is prompted by our faith, will bring glory to the Lord Jesus, and uses the grace that He has given us. Regarding that last point, “grace” is a word used often in Scripture to refer to God-given and empowered abilities.  How do you determine what God wants for your life? Consider the following: (1) your gifts (talents, abilities, skills)—these often require some training and experience, (2) the needs of others that you are drawn to meet, and (3) your resources and opportunities. Then (4) you are especially blessed if you have the feeling of eureka (Greek for “I have found it”!)

Jesus often talked about service, but also about neglecting to be of service, as, for example, in Luke 12:35-48.

“Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, like men waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks, they can immediately open the door for him. It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. I tell you the truth, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table, and will come and wait on them. It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the second or third watch of the night. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” (12:35-40)

Have you been living a life worthy of Christ’s call? What will you do to improve your worthiness?