November 30, 2015

“To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some.” 1 Corinthians 9:22

“A Christian worker has to learn how to be God’s man or woman of great worth and excellence in the midst of a multitude of meager and worthless things. Never protest by saying, “If only I were somewhere else!” All of God’s people are ordinary people who have been made extraordinary by the purpose He has given them. Unless we have the right purpose intellectually in our minds and lovingly in our hearts, we will very quickly be diverted from being useful to God. We are not workers for God by choice. Many people deliberately choose to be workers, but they have no purpose of God’s almighty grace or His mighty Word in them. Paul’s whole heart, mind, and soul were consumed with the great purpose of what Jesus Christ came to do, and he never lost sight of that one thing. We must continually confront ourselves with one central fact— “…Jesus Christ and Him crucified” (1 Corinthians 2:2).

“I chose you…” (John 15:16). Keep these words as a wonderful reminder in your theology. It is not that you have gotten God, but that He has gotten you. God is at work bending, breaking, molding, and doing exactly as He chooses. And why is He doing it? He is doing it for only one purpose— that He may be able to say, “This is My man, and this is My woman.” We have to be in God’s hand so that He can place others on the Rock, Jesus Christ, just as He has placed us.

Never choose to be a worker, but once God has placed His call upon you, woe be to you if you “turn aside…to the right or the left…” (Deuteronomy 28:14). He will do with you what He never did before His call came to you, and He will do with you what He is not doing with other people. Let Him have His way.” (My Utmost For His Highest, Submitting to God’s Purpose, October 25, 2015, Our Daily Bread website)

“Choosing” versus “being chosen”. How do you view your work in the kingdom of G*d: that you have chosen your path, or that G*d has appointed a path for you? This is a very important distinction being made: “choosing” versus “being chosen”. One puts us in control, the other puts G*d in control – one focuses on our efforts, the other focuses on G*d’s efforts. Recently I preached at the installation for my friend Micki. She was a church organist and worked for the federal government. She could have retired and gone off into the sunset of her life. However, G*d had other ideas. One day she called me and we talked about “the call” we receive from G*d. She was hearing that call, and struggling with what she should do. My answer was the same answer I would give anyone who believes they are being called – no matter what we think, if the call comes from G*d, there is no running from it. When G*d chooses us, we really have few options, because G*d will mend and bend and mold us until we say “uncle”, because G*d is in control, and does not give up easily, if at all.

Pastor Dave