Though I may not know who is reading this post, I do know that you were created on purpose with a purpose. YOU have a calling on your life. Though we are each called by God, this is a subject that many people wrestle with.Most Christians feel a strong desire to do something great for the Lord, yet they struggle to know what that is exactly. I want to help bring clarity to this subject.
At sixteen years of age, I began examining and searching the Bible so that I could work out my own salvation. I had been told what to believe about salvation most of my life, but I wanted to discover the Gospel for myself. As a result, I published a Bible study called Salvation Made Simple. This Bible study has been translated into seven different languages and distributed to thousands of people. It has become such a pillar in my life that I printed a large version of the cover, framed it, and hung it in my office years ago so that I’m constantly reminded of what I'm called to do. This project reminds me of who called me. It has been my burning bush experience.
During the time I spent searching out my personal salvation, I felt a call to the ministry. I knew, even at sixteen, that I wanted to spend my life helping people understand and obey the Gospel. I wanted to help people move from spiritual death to abundant life. This is why I do what I do even today. My calling gives me the energy to work hard and produce good things for the Kingdom of God. I have a great ministry as a pastor and an executive coach, but ultimately, it doesn’t matter where my paycheck comes from. I work for Jesus and His Kingdom, and my calling comes from Him.
The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 5:20, “Now then we are ambassadors for Christ. . .” It really doesn't matter what your job is; if you are a Christian, you are called as an ambassador for Christ. You may work at a bank, but you are in full-time ministry. You may run a contracting crew for a construction company, but you too are in full-time ministry. We're living with a purpose and are called to be ambassadors of God; our motives must be spiritual.
Ron Blue, an author and speaker on personal finance, once shared his purpose statement, "I, Ron Blue, exist to glorify God by loving and serving others and by using my financial skills and experience to help people become better stewards of what God has given them and, as a byproduct of that, to bring more resources into the Kingdom of God." That's a powerful mission; Ron Blue knows exactly what he’s called to do. He’s an ambassador of God through his professional life. Though his work may be made up of non-spiritual tasks, He approaches his job with a spiritual mindset, and that is what makes his assignment spiritual.
If we tune into the Spirit of God as we go throughout our day, we can live on purpose whether we are working in our secular jobs, buying food in the grocery store, or supporting our kids at their ball games. We can live on purpose as ambassadors of God.
We can’t discuss the subject of calling without first talking about the fivefold ministry. Paul writes in Ephesians, “There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling” (Eph. 4:4). Paul goes on to say, “Wherefore he saith, when he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men” (Eph. 4:8). Finally, Paul explains, “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers” (Eph. 4:11). This particular verse clarifies that the fivefold ministry is made up of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers. These are special offices of leadership. Paul goes on to explain that these callings are “To perfect the saints, for the work of the ministry, and for the edifying of the body of Christ. . .” (Eph. 4:12). The fivefold ministry also creates a unity of purpose and balance in the church so that, according to Paul, “. . .We henceforth be no more children. . .” (Eph. 4:14).
The fivefold ministry is present to help bring the church to spiritual and relational maturity. Although the fivefold ministry is a gift from God, I think it’s much more than a gift. It is a calling. If you feel called to one of the fivefold ministries, I believe your giftings will reveal that. Your giftings will align with your calling, and the important people in your life will confirm it.
If you truly feel called to one of the fivefold ministries, I want to give you some important advice. Be comfortable giving to people out of the abundance of the giftings within you. I know so many people that feel called but only seek position. It’s important to be patient in the process of growth that the Lord has for you. Don’t seek a position or a specific opportunity and then get frustrated because that opportunity doesn’t present itself within your timeframe. Let the position find you. Focus on letting the fruit of your gifting go before you and speak for you to confirm your calling to the fivefold ministry.
I think it’s important to talk about the fivefold ministry when discussing the topic of calling because sometimes people solely delegate the “call of God” to the fivefold ministry. Though you may not be called specifically to the fivefold ministry, every believer has a part in the work of the ministry. We are all ambassadors of God. Jesus told us that we would do greater works than He. He has given us the power to do the miraculous.
As a Christian, I think it’s important for us to evaluate our mindsets and understand the purpose of our callings. This is not a self-serving or self-promoting purpose that we can bypass or ignore. Our callings are all about fulfilling the Lord’s will in our lives and in this world. Our callings will bring us energy to get up every day. They will drive us to do things that are uncomfortable and beyond our own natural talents and abilities.
It is very important that we keep the correct mindset concerning our callings and understand that we’re called by God for a purpose. We’re ambassadors of the Kingdom of God. I want to encourage you to evaluate your mindset today by asking yourself these questions: “What is my motive? Why am I doing what I'm doing? Am I focused only on getting the job done or am I intentionally loving, serving, and helping people find and follow Jesus?”
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