Greetings again my Brethren. As we behold His glory we will see many things we are and yes even many things we are not in Christ. Now I do not know about you my friend, but I see more things I am not like Christ in. Not only do we see things, but if we have allowed God to work in our lives to any degree we will be able to hear things, like God calling us. The entire process of calling and sending a labourer into the harvest field is “a divine” work in that they were (1) called by Him, (2) made by Him, (3) taught by Him, and (4) sent by Him. This month let us look at the first two steps along the way of being called by God into ministry (evangelism, preaching, teaching, or pastoring) or whatsoever He has for your life. The first step in this process is being called. In Mark we read Jesus calling “whom he would,” but not everyone was chosen. ”And he goeth up into a mountain, and calleth unto him whom he would: and they came unto him. 14And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach, 15And to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils:” (Mark 3:13-15) Jesus desires not to exclude anyone from His call as with salvation. Many are called, but few are chosen. Those chosen are those who have been qualified or approved for service. Those who have done the things needed to be chosen. Jesus saw something in the disciples, even though not saints, that qualified them for service. Here we also see the purpose or reason, “ . . . and that he might send them forth to preach, 15And to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils:” The reason and purpose of our call to ministry is to share the good news of the Gospel and to share the goodness of God with people who are hurting and needing help.
The second step in this “divine work” made by Him. In Matthew we read, “And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. 19And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. 20And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.” (Matthew 4:18-20) When we first come to the LORD we know nothing of the things of the Spirit of God as a new born baby knows nothing of the things of this world they have to be made into adults as they grow in stature. The Spiritual realm is no different. As we walk with the LORD we must be made, by God’s dealings and judgments, into the image of Jesus Christ God’s son. When Adam (Genesis 1:26) was made from the dust of the earth he was not made into the image of God his image was latten (like a old camera negative) and had to be developed, had to be made, he had to learn how to function with God. We can see that if we go a few chapters over in Genesis, “And Adam lived an hundred and thirty years, and begat a son in his own likeness, after his image; and called his name Seth:” (Genesis 5:3) Seth was not born a fully grown man, here Seth was born as a baby, but in the image of Adam. We too are born in the image of God, but like Adam and Seth we are latten and must grow in the grace and knowledge of the LORD Jesus Christ. Please notice in Matthew 4:19, Jesus says, He “will make us” we do not get to make ourselves into whatsoever image we want and still follow Jesus. For us to allow God to make us we MUST enter into His building program. Here is where most Christians miss it. They are called, but not chosen because they refuse to enter into God’s building program. Oh they want to eat the fish, but they are not willing to follow Him and be made. God’s building program is designed to kill you so that he may live. God’s building program starts by tearing down everything in us not built on Him. It is painful and it is meant to be painful so we will develop some compassion for the halt and hurting. It is God’s job in doing the building and it is our job of willfully entering into His program. There will be no making by God useless we first enter in.
Next month we will continue to look at “a divine work” as we look at the remaining two steps; taught by Him and sent by Him. Do you hear Him now?
