“You are who you are through this gift and call of Jesus Christ!” Romans 1:6
Within the world, when men and women say they have been “called”, more than likely they mean they have been called to military service. Identified by their uniforms, they are viewed as special. Those who answer the call to serve are categorized as separate, special and an exclusive group of men and women. They posses a strong will to go to other lands to serve and protect and even die for our country. Not everyone believes they are called to that form of service. No one challenges those who don’t enlist, unless they bring back the draft.
Within the Christian context, when a person says they have been “called” it is believed that they have been called to preach or to ministry. However, are those who preach and are in ministry the only people God “calls”? Are they in a separate, special and exclusive group? Is God’s call one that not everyone has to answer or believes they are to answer? Are persons who don’t put on a robe or a collar part of a group who feel they don’t need to speak of God’s goodness or minister to the masses or are prepared to die for the sake of the gospel? Unfortunately, the answer is yes.
Unlike the military, we are ALL “called” by God, the minute we acknowledge Jesus Christ as Savior. When we commit to follow Him and obey His commandments, we are then called to speak of His goodness. We are called to extend the same love and grace that He extends to us. We are called to live how God desires for us to live. We are called to walk out the fruits of the Spirit, “…love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” (Galatian 5:22-23). Man may not challenge everyone to accept the call to join the military. But, God challenges us to join the army of the Lord and to live out our call – taking the gospel to all lands and to all people.
And, yes, there is another level of being called (Pastor, Minister, Missionary, Evangelist, etc.). However, we who have declared with our mouth, Jesus is Lord, and believe in our heart that God raised Him from the dead, are saved (Romans 10:9)…AND CALLED.
Walk in faith; live in love.
Mo Wood
