Articles
Called to Serve Daily
Back in December when 2020 was ending and 2021 was just about to start, people of this world were elated because 2021 was going to be different. This elation compares to the elation the Israelite army had in 1 Samuel 4 as they brought the ark from Shiloh to battle the Philistines (1 Sam. 4:5-7). Much to the Israelite army’s surprise, the battle with the Philistines turned into utter defeat (1 Sam. 4:9-11). The Israelite brought the Ark of the Covenant from Shiloh, but they forgot to bring God with it. Going forward into 2021, two questions are raised for us as Christians: What is our God calling us to do in 2021? and, are we going to bring God with us to answer that call?
If one truly is abiding with God, she or he will be called to freedom (Gal. 5:13), peace (Col. 3:15), fellowship (1 Cor. 1:9), hope (Eph. 4:4), eternal life (1 Tim. 6:12), sanctification (2 Thess. 2:13-15) endurance (1 Peter 2:18-21), blessing (1 Peter 3:9), and God’s glory (1 Peter 5:10). The freedom that Christians are called to demonstrate is not the worldly freedom of, “I’m going to do what I want” but, is the freedom to bless. Instead of causing quarrels and strife, we must bring glory to God by loving others before ourselves (John 13:34-35). God’s call to have peace in our hearts is also a call to hope and endurance through sanctification. With God, we can look at our trials and see that there is more to them than physical pain and suffering (1 Peter 1:7). The spiritual growth that trials provide allow us to abound in God’s love more and more. As we abound in love it instills a deep tranquilness and confidence that on the day of salvation, we will be able to enter Heaven (1 Peter 1:8-9). Even though we were underserving of divine love, Jesus purified us with His blood, and we choose to abide in Him with faith (Eph. 2:7). Once our spirit is truly in line with God and His teachings, this is when we will physically bring glory to God thus be blessed ourselves (Matt. 7:7-11, James 4:3).
Jesus Christ was not of this world (John 17:16). Yet, He came down to earth to be flesh and blood so that humans would have the perfect example of how to abide with God. We are not called to be perfect. We are called to be like Christ to the best of our ability every day. Will 2021 be the year where you are seen by the world as a follower who brought the Bible and not the glory of God into battle? Or will this be another year you choose to shine the light of the Christ in these darker times?
