Fulfilling the call of God

The call of God is unique serious. It is an actualisation of the purpose of one’s existence and creation. Nothing is as self-fulfilling as the call of God in a man’s life. The lives of Abraham and the apostle Paul exemplify the radical transformation that occurs, when we respond to the call of God. In order to actualise the call of God, we must be ready to give our all to His service. Peter sums it up thus: “Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble” (2 Pet.1:10).

Paul captures the full essence of what the call of God is in two words. He says it is an “upward call” and a “heavenly calling” (Phil.3:13, 14; Heb.3:1). The call of God is not an invitation to an ordinary relationship; it is an invitation to an extraordinary and supernatural calling.
Therefore, serious attention must be given to fulfil it.

The Purpose Of Our Calling
There is a saying that, “unless you understand the purpose of a thing, it is likely to be abused.” Unless we know the purpose of God’s call, we are not likely to seek its fulfilment. Purpose has to do with the reason for being. Peter states the purpose of our calling in 1 Pet.2:9, 10, “But you are the ones chosen by God, chosen for the high calling of priestly work, chosen to be a holy people, God’s instruments to do His work and speak up for Him, to tell others of the night-and-day difference He made for you – from nothing to something, from rejected to accepted” (MSG).

Affirmation
It is not unusual for those who are called of God to seek for an affirmation from the One who called them. When the angel of God appeared to Gideon, his response was, “If the LORD is with us, why then has all this happened to us? And where are all His miracles, which our fathers told us about…” (Judges 6:13). God’s word to him was very assuring, “Go in this might of yours, and you shall save Israel from the hand of the Midianites. Have I not sent you?” Jesus received affirmation from the Father on different occasions.

The Cost
There is always a price to pay by all those seeking to fulfil the call of God. Moses, Abraham, Paul and even the reluctant Jonah paid a great price to fulfil the call of God for their lives. Abraham was eager to sacrifice his only son, Isaac. Moses gave up his right of being identified as a son of Pharaoh’s daughter. Paul said, “But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ” (Phil.3: 7). Jonah forcefully learnt the lesson of humility, obedience and prayer in the belly of a fish.

Personal Responsibility
Each one of us must take personal responsibility for the fulfilment of our calling and ministry. The scriptures are very clear about our personal responsibility. “Wherefore, I put thee in remembrance thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.” (2 Timothy 1:6) “Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee…” (1 Timothy 4:14) “Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfill it.” (Colossians 4:17) “But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.” (2 Timothy 4: 5). Contact: pastoracukachi@gmail.com