But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace, to reveal His love in me, that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately confer with flesh and blood, not did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went to Arabia, and returned again to Damascus. Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and remained with him fifteen days. But I saw none of the other apostles except James, the Lord’s brother. Galatians 1: 15-18, NKJV.
Heavenly Father, there may be some soul who is waiting for a Word from You, because they have forgotten that it was You who called them to preach Your gospel. Please speak to our hearts as we study Your Word; and remind us of the sound of Your voice. We ask these mercies in the name of Jesus! Amen.
Too often we forget, that the community of believers is a, ” royal priesthood,” …who has been called, “in order that [they] may proclaim the mighty acts of [H]im who called you out of darkness into [H]is marvelous light” (1 Peter 2: 9). When God calls us, He calls us “out of,” and “into!” In other words, we have been called to share. Saul, who later became Paul, was “called out” of his mistaken zeal of persecuting the church of Christ, “into” the glorious proclamation of the gospel of Christ to the Gentiles! The call of Christ is out of darkness into light; His light, that enlightened everyone, when He came into the world (John 1: 11)!
There are different densities of darkness. Any form of persecution is darkness. Any form of marginalization is darkness. Any kind of slavery is darkness. Every form of abuse is darkness. Deceit in any of its forms, is darkness. God is calling people who are trapped in all of these forms of darkness, to come out into His marvelous light! Many of us who are now Christians, were in one or another form of darkness, until Christ, directly (as in the call of Saul); or indirectly, (through a missionary), called us “out of a life of sin;” and “into His service!” Now He is counting on us, to be His voice to call others out!
There are many situations and circumstances that could serve to discourage us from pursuing our call. The key to perseverance, is, not to forget Who called you. The One who calls, is the One who commissions! Therefore, only He can decommission, as in the case of Saul, the first king of Israel. That was one of the rare cases! That is why it is so important that we recognize the voice of our Commander in Chief. As long as we are willing to keep on proclaming the “mighty acts” of the King of kings, and Lord of lords, he is willing to keep renewing our orders!
Paul says that when He received his commission to preach the gospel to the Gentiles, he did not consult with human beings. He had been given his marching orders, by the “Captain of the Lord’s hosts,” (Acts 9: 4, 5); and then was sent to Ananias, to receive his first instructions (15, 16). When he learned that Peter had been commissioned to preach to the Jews, he considered it prudent to visit him; so he spent fifteen days with him; but that was three years later, after he had spent enough time with Jesus, becoming familiar with His voice; and learning from the Lord Himself, what He would have him do (6).
We will continue with this topic. Happy Sabbath, and, be blessed!