GOD'S CALL
1 Cor. 1:1-2
Morning Meditation 12/3/14
"Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother, Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:"
GOD'S CALL HAS IN IT THE AUTHORITY OF A COMMAND
It is interesting that the word Paul used to tell us of his call to be an apostle is the same word that is used to identify those who are called to be saints. Both are divine calls and both are personal and involve God getting in contact with people on a personal basis.
The words "Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God," is intended by Paul to be an authenticating statement for his ministry. Many accused Paul of being a false apostle with no real authority from God to minister the word.
Galatians 1:11-12, 15-16, "But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ. . . But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace, To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:" It is good that Paul gives this testimony and leaves it for us today. Paul had a divine call and a divine directed ministry. He did not allow men to control what he preached nor where he preached it. When we listen to men preach the gospel, it is good to know that they have a divine call upon them..
One does not decide to take up the ministry as a vocation. He is either called or he is an imposter. Galatians 1:10, "For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ."
1 Timothy 2:7, "hereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity."
Paul defended his apostleship many times. He always did it by establishing his authority as given by God in a call. God still calls preachers.
GOD'S CALL IS ACCOMPANIED WITH HIS ENABLEMENT
1 Timothy 1:12, "And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;"
The word "enabled" translates, "endunamoo," and means, "to be strong, endue with strength, strengthen." One of the first objections one has when he feels that God is calling him to the ministry is, "Lord, I am not able." My pastor taught me before I surrendered to preach the gospel that whom God calls He enables. He said, "Make sure you're called, then surrender to that call with faith that he will enable you to do what He has called you to do. God's call is His enablement. The enablement comes with the call.
Then finally, His call comes with His provisions. God provides for all the needs of those whom He calls. It is important for me to say in closing that every Christian is called to salvation and service and is gifted to do a special work for the Lord. What I have said up to this point applies to whatever area God has chosen as the course He has for you in this life. He can be trusted, and with His enablement, you can be successful in doing His work.
May the Lord bless these words to our hearts.
In Christ
Bro. White
