1 Corinthians 1:26 For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; 28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, 29 so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.
God called the weak and despised to be His people, precisely because they were not qualified by the worlds standards, and would be humble, reliant, and in awe of Him. Quite the contrast from the comfortable, self-sufficient careers that many Christian students spend everything to pursue.
Ephesians 4:1 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Here are the some of the characteristics of living in a manner worthy of the God's calling for us. Apostle Paul subsequently in v11 does give some examples of actual positions (prophets, evangelists, shepherds, etc.) that God might assign to someone, to equip the rest of the believers (the saints) for the work of ministry.
2 Thessalonians 1:11 To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, 12 so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Worthy of God's calling again, and as the previous verse, nothing about being professionals, but good works of faith by his power that glorifies Christ.
2 Timothy 1:8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, 9 who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began
Goes even further here, we arrive at our calling not by our own efforts and works but by the grace and purpose of God.
2 Peter 1:5 For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue,5 and virtue with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. 8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. 10 Therefore, brothers,be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall.
I wonder how is it that young believers would try (often repeatedly) to get into medical/dental/law/etc. school and say it is their calling to dedicate most of their time and energy to it when the scriptures speak nothing of such? I am not seeing doctor or Ph.D or accountant in these passages, but I am seeing humility, gentleness, patience, love, unity, peace, grace, virtue, knowledge of Christ, self-control, steadfastness, godliness.
The thought of career or vocation is not even on the radar in any of the passages on calling. So how is it that so many of us have confused the two? For goodness sake, I myself am an engineer, so I need to ask, can having a prestigious, high paying professional career glorify God?
This all brings back memories of a CCF senior that I met when I first came to Mac. Here are two verses that would explain a lot:
Matthew 6:21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Matthew 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
More next week.
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