~ Some Lessons Learned ~
Introduction ~ Posts 1 – 21 (beginning on April
16, 2022) of this series looked at aspects of the Christian calling. Specifically, we viewed the calling of God
from three aspects. First there is the Universal Call to all mankind for
salvation. Second there is the call that
all Christians receive—the Obedience Call. Finally, there is a call which all Christians
receive, but sadly few accept, the Career
Call.
Beginning in
post 22 we started looking at Biblical examples of God calling an
individual.
Scripture ~ “And He [Jesus] went up on the
mountain and called to Him those He Himself wanted. And they came to Him. Then He appointed twelve, that they
might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach, and to have
power to heal sicknesses and to cast out demons: Simon, to whom He gave the
name Peter; James the son of Zebedee and John the brother of James, to whom He
gave the name Boanerges, that is, ‘Sons of Thunder’; Andrew, Philip,
Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the
Cananite; and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him. And they went into a house” (Mark 3:13-19).
Lessons (from this short passage) ~ Consider
four obvious lessons.
(1) “Called
to Him those He Himself wanted.” God
in His sovereignty calls those who He elects.
(2) “He
appointed” – those He calls He appoints to specific tasks.
(3) “To
have power” – those He calls He empowers.
(4) “Betrayed
Him” – not all who are called follow through and finish strong.
Comment ~ When God calls it is a serious and
wonderful thing. It often comes
unexpectedly. When God calls a decision
must be made whether to accept and be obedient to His call on your life.
~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.
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