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CALLING, PURPOSE & DESTINY

Calling is a topic misunderstood by many of us.

Yet it’s fundamental to our existence if we want to live a fulfilled Life and enjoy eternity when we ‘retire’ from planet earth.

Calling can be defined as what a person is supposed to do or achieve, particular profession /vocation.
Purpose is the reason for doing a thing or the thing that one intends to do while Destiny is the preplanned future or end result primarily premised on set of specific activities been carried out. For a believer: Calling, Purpose, Destiny are interrelated.

Simply put “this is God’s original design for our lives”.

We were the ones, not God, who “fell” through Adam but thank God, for Restoration through Jesus and His sacrifice on the Cross.

More so, we have God (our Manufacturer)’s Manual-the BIBLE and the Companionship of the Holy Ghost – the author and Interpreter of the Bible.

In order words, we need to first have a relationship with God by receiving Jesus as our Lord & Savior. This is the beginning of the journey towards coming into the fullness of the knowledge of God’s purpose for our lives.

Simply put ” where purpose in not known, abuse is inevitable”.
Calling is not synonymous with Vocation or profession. You don’t need to be a “pastor or any of the five fold Ministry - Eph 4:11(if you are not called) “ to fulfill purpose or destiny. However, it is mandatory for you to preach the gospel /be a witness for Jesus.

In other words, your Vocation or profession should be a platform or channel for Men to see Jesus Matt 5:13-16. This is the believers’ life code (lifestyle & service, work to Humanity).

In other words, you can be a tailor, footballer, typist, scientist etc and still fulfill God’s original design for your life.

Calling can be divided into two.

1. FUNDAMENTAL & INHERENT CALL FOR EVERYONE WHO HAS RECEIVED JESUS INTO HIS/HER LIFE AS PERSONAL LORD & SAVIOR.

A. We are Primarily called or predestinated to be conformed to the image of God’s pattern Son: Romans 8: 29 that Jesus might be the firstborn among many brethren. This can only be achieved by walking in the Spirit Gal 5:16,25, Obeying God till we all come, grow “unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Jesus the Anointed One” Eph 5:13

B. We were chosen, called in God even before the foundation of the world “to be Holy and without blame before God in love” Ephesians 1: 4
In fact Hebrew 12: 14 tells us that without Holiness, we won’t see Jesus our Lord.
See Apostle Paul’s prayer to the saints in I Thess. 3:12,13 I Thess.5: 23.
Concerning love, it’s your nature, which you need to walk in because God, your Father is LOVE - I John 4:8.

C. We have been mandated by Jesus, Our Master & Savior, to go into all the world, preach the gospel, cast out devils, speak in new tongues…lay hands on the sick for them to recover Mark 16:15-19 –this is what is called the Great Commission or becoming a Witness for Jesus.

D. We are called to suffer for our Faith even as HE has ” left us an example that we should follow in his steps” Peter 2:19-23.Infact the Apostle Paul puts it point blank in Romans 8: 17 “…that we are joint-heirs with Jesus: if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together”.
Also, “ If we suffer, we shall also reign with him” II Timothy 2:3
Tough you may say, but remember His grace is available John 1:17

“WHATEVER TRUTH DEMANDS, GRACE WILL SURELY SUPPLY”

2. CHRIST CENTERED SERVICE TO HUMANITY

This is not philanthropy (which is human centered) but real kingdom investment. For it is inspired by the Holy Ghost, and contributes positively to the Body of Jesus Christ and has eternal reward see Matt 6:33

As a preacher once said (and I agree with him) that the most important question after receiving Jesus as Savior is “whom am I sent to?” or in another word, what’s my assignment? Saul of Tarsus (Brother Paul) asked that Big Question immediately he was converted in Acts9: 6 “Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?”

This is what gives real meaning & true satisfaction to our Christian Faith.

According to a leadership guru, Calling can be defined as “God’s personal invitation for me to work on His Agenda using the talents he has given me in ways that are eternally significant”
Note that its God that supplies the talents, provides the direction, support & finally gives Eternal rewards based on our Obedience, Cooperation faithfulness & fruitfulness.
Your relevance to God is premised on the Discovery of your role in the Body of Jesus “the Anointed One“ and more especially” supplying your quota as a joint according to the measure of every part, which maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love” Ephesians 4:16

Psalm 139:16 tells us that all my members have already been written in God’s book. In order words, we will one day have to give account to God, that’s the Judgment of the Believer.

There is day of Accountability, when we have to give account of all we have done in our bodies.
No wonder Moses prayed in Psalm 90: 12 that God should” teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom”.

“ ETERNITY COMES TO US IN DAYS… EVERY DAY”

Another preacher reiterates this reality by saying that “we will be judged not by the things we do but in the light of what God has called us to do.

Calling can be known in five (5) major ways:
(i) Inner witness or spiritual intuition: this has to be Strong, Consistent& Persistent over a long period of time. Most times, when we enter the age of realization, this knowledge drives us into action.
A classical example is Moses at age 40 yrs in Acts7: 25. Also we see Jesus at twelve in Luke2: 42- 49..wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?

(ii) Supernatural Revelation: It may through a prophetic word as we see in Jeremiah 1:4,5 …and I have ordained thee a prophet unto the nations or visions etc
Apostle Paul ‘s testimony in Gal 1:15,16 ....and called me by his grace to reveal his Son in me ,that I might preach him among the Heathen….

(iii) Name i.e. Jesus - for he shall save his people Matt 1: 21
Abraham meaning a multitude in Gen 17:5 …for a father of many nations have I made thee.

(iv) By Path: this is when God orchestrates events around you to position you for what he has planned for you to do.
See king Saul in I Samuel9: 1-15,16 Now the Lord had told Samuel in his ear a day before Saul came, saying tomorrow about this time I will send thee a man out of the land of Benjamin, and thou shalt anoint him to be captain over my people Isreal…
Esther’s story is another example…and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this? Esther 4:14

(v) By Service and submission to God Ordained/Godly Authority:
Philip the Evangelist is classical example. Acts 6 tells the his story as just a man having an honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom in V.3, 5 Ordained as a deacon to serve tables in V.6 In Acts 8 we see him affected by Saul’s persecution in V.3,4 and in V.5 he went to Samaria obeying the great Commission where God in his sovereignty, promoted him as an Evangelist Verses 6 –40.
We can also see Joshua, a ruler or head “among” Ephraim, one of the tribes of Israel. Numbers 13:2,3 & 8. In Numbers 27:15 - 23 we see God answering Moses’ prayer by instructing him to ordain Joshua as his successor.
That’s why we need to stay, serve faithfully and bear godly fruit in the place, local body of Christ or church Ministry, Godly Authority where God has planted us I Corinthians 12: 18, Psalm 92:13,14-15.
God’s plan for us, which we however need to qualify for, is to tell us “well done good and faithful servant” on the Last day.

I pray that by God’s infinite mercies, we will find and function in our rightful place in His Body so that we will all hear just that in Jesus name, Amen.

Thanks and God bless

Jedidah.com

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