01/17/2025
Have you ever struggled to understand your service to God and others as it compares to the call of God itself? This morning I am contemplating these two wonderful aspects of our faith… faithful service, and God’s calling for us. You might interpret our service as being works so here are two scripture references that together link our faith and works together, one from Paul (Ephesians 2:8-9) and the other from James (James 2:26). These two passages complement each other and explain how they go hand in hand. But let’s explore what this has to do with God calling us.
“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”
Ephesians 2:8-9 ESV
“For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.”
James 2:26 ESV
Oswald Chambers considered these same two attributes of our faith, service and calling, and boiled them down into one short explanation when he wrote:
"To serve God is the deliberate love-gift of a nature that has heard the call of God. Service is expressive of that which is fitted to my nature: God's call is expressive of His nature; consequently when I receive His nature and hear His call, the voice of the Divine nature sounds in both and the two work together." – Oswald Chambers
The apostle Paul received the call of God which was revealed through the nature of Jesus to him, and then among other things, he began to preach the gospel.
“But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace, To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:”
Galatians 1:15-16 KJV
When God calls us, He instills in us a portion of His own nature and that nature begins to work in conjunction with ours to do wonderful things, and to transform our own nature into one which takes on the attributes of His holiness.
Several years ago my father-in-law was reaching the end of his days; he was becoming weaker and failing. I was overcome by an overwhelming need to serve him and do those things in his life that he could no longer do. During this period, I would do many things for him, like mowing his lawn, cleaning out his gutters, putting in new light bulbs and the list goes on. The amazing thing about this time was how serving in this capacity filled me with the joy of God.
Many find it hard to understand how mowing grass can be holy, but when it is mowed as the result of our nature joining with the nature of God within us... it becomes a love-gift and is truly holy. This gift is certainly one for the recipient, but it is also a gift to God himself, and a blessing to those who witness it. Then, in the most incredible aspect of all, it becomes a gift and blessing to ourselves... to the giver.
Again, Paul spoke of giving, and this time he quoted Jesus in describing what comes of giving...
“I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive. And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down, and prayed with them all.”
Acts 20:35-36 KJV
Giving to, or serving others, is truly an act filled with blessings. When I look back on the years I honored God's call and His nature within me by humbling myself in service to my father-in-law, I count them as some of the holiest years of my life. It was one of the greatest times of spiritual growth I have ever experienced.
Doing something for someone to obtain personal gain is simply human, but when the nature of God is joined with your own, it produces a service that has no inkling of personal gain; just the expression of love as God would have us give it. This kind of service becomes holy and brings us to a higher plain of faith. No other reward can compare, and no satisfaction is deeper.
So, God calls us to serve Himself and others, but our decision to serve based on our own desires is not a call, it is simply our human nature and our own will being put to use. Both are good, but God’s calling is divine and allows us to enter completely into His will. Consider this… if you decided to sacrifice your life to save your child’s life how would that compare to Jesus being called to yield His will to God’s on the cross at Calvary? Although giving your life for a child or friend is an act of true love it is different from that of Jesus who went to the cross not because it was His will, but because it was God’s will. He obeyed God’s calling for His life.
“[Jesus] saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.””
Luke 22:42 ESV
Prayer:
Father, I thank you for instilling in me a portion of your nature. I ask that you never cease giving me a measure of your love and grace each time you call me to serve you. Lord, in serving others without any cause, other than a love for them and you, becomes my greatest gift and blesses me beyond all measure. In what many describe as works, I find pleasure because of your presence in them, and there is no thanks that I can give which is sufficient to express my feelings of appreciation for those times. Holy Father, your nature within me has changed my very being and blessed me beyond anything I have ever known. Let me continue to be led in ways such that your nature can influence mine and create a newness; a holiness within me; Call me Father, and use me to advance your kingdom, and bring honor to you. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you my God who I serve in all things, and all ways. Holy are you who leads me to do the good and righteous things for your purposes. I pray that your hand is upon me, and your voice is in my ear, that I am serving your will and desire for my life always, and am obediently answering your call when you have need of me. Help me to be strong when your call requires strength, bold when I must deliver your word, and humble when I am led to serve the weak and needy. In all things I am called to do give me your help and bless me Abba as I strive to bless you. I ask all these things in the name of Jesus Christ, and in the hope that on the day of my judgement you will say “Here is my son in whom I am well pleased.” O to hear those words, O to feel that joy in receiving your blessing for those things I have given to you.
And may all those who answer your holy calling, and give without thought for themselves say…
Amen, Amen, Amen!
Rich Forbes