Called

 

DEVOTION

THE 1^ST LETTER TO THE CORINTHIANS

CALLED

1 Cor 9:1-2

9:1 Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you not the result of my work in the Lord? 2 Even though I may not be an apostle to others, surely I am to you! For you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.

NIV

This whole chapter, as we use chapters, although Paul did not, consists of his defense of his apostleship and his right to make a living from the gospel because he lives for the gospel. This beginning has some truth for us as well, in the sense that it is not up to others to determine our qualification to preach the gospel as it is strictly up to the Lord to call whom he does and to empower those he calls to preach the gospel message. Now, that does not mean that we all have not been called, for all who believe have been called, and all are called to preach the gospel in some sense. Are we not all supposed to witnesses of the grace of God in our lives? Are we not all to live in such a manner that all can see the evidence of the grace of God in us? This is not living by the law, or by a set of manmade rules and regulations believed to be scriptural, but rather a life in which the divine influence of God is upon our hearts and how it is reflected in our lives, as that is how the Greek word translated as grace is defined. So if His grace is reflected in our lives, then we would be a living testimony of grace. We would demonstrate grace to others, or an act of graciousness as we see grace has also defined a verb, an active, just as God’s grace, His influence is upon and active in our lives. This is not a one-time act, but an ongoing active act of graciousness and influence of God in our lives. Therefore, we are to live in this same manner, always being influenced, always being gracious, always being a testimony of His life in us. As far as those called to be preachers, we have to note that each and every denomination is a man-established earthly organization that has the right to certain rules, or standards if one wants to be recognized or certified by them to preach in their organization, or churches. This does not always mean those accepted by those denominations as preachers or pastors have been called by God to be a shepherd of his people. Paul makes it clear his calling is from God, and we too should make certain that if we have the privilege of preaching the word of God that first and foremost we know without a doubt that God has called us to the task. If we have not been called by God and empowered by God, then we are mere men acting in the manner of men, using our knowledge, our abilities and those are meaningless if done without a calling from God. It is not the eloquence of our words that matters, for men can be eloquent, but it is the power of the Spirit within that matters. We can preach with plain words, but if they are empowered by the Spirit they are the words from God for His people. We only have to look at Moses, a man who struggled with words, admitting to God that he was slow of speech, so God gave him Aaron to assist him yet he was used mightily by God to direct His people because he was called. So let us understand it is God who calls us, each for His own purpose, and let us live to fulfill His purpose in our lives.