Ephesians 2:10 (NKJV) For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
Have you noticed that most godly characters in the Bible did not try to live out other people’s lives but adhered to their callings? Jesus was singularly focused on His mission on earth, which was to do God’s will. The Apostle Paul had a calling to be an apostle of Jesus Christ by God’s will, despite having previously been a Pharisee and a persecutor of the church. He didn’t know about his call until he encountered the Lord on the road to Damascus, leading to a dramatic transformation in his life. Thereafter, he steadfastly focused on his calling and was faithful and passionate in delivering the message of Jesus Christ. Jesus and the Apostle Paul understood their callings and knew what God wanted them to do.
How about you? Do you realise that you, too, have a calling? You are not meant to be like others. Your calling is not what you want to become or what your parents expect of you, but what God has uniquely gifted you to be. Regardless of what vocation He has called you to, do your best at it with God’s help, and aim for success, but continue to serve Him with your gifts, talents, and finances. Such is the life of consecration, where you seek God regarding what He desires you to do.
The Apostle Paul said in Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.” This is the right attitude, but it doesn’t mean that we claim to be able to do everything; rather, we adopt a humble and teachable attitude and are empowered by the Lord to fulfil what He has called us to do.
Unfortunately, many Christians prefer to make their own choices rather than listen to God’s plan for them. The flesh is the sum of our appetites and desires that want to live independently of God. Living in our flesh means we don’t trust God with our future or want to respond to His calling for our lives. Instead, we pursue what the world claims is good for us. We are like sheep who have left the sheepfold and wandered away. Sometimes, we have wandered so far away from God that we will hit the wall or ultimately crash in our lives. Therefore, it is crucial to acknowledge that we have been crucified with Christ, and we no longer live, so that we will live our lives for Christ.
We all possess diverse talents, backgrounds, achievements, and life experiences. God has a unique calling for each of us because He is the one who created us. Jesus is our master craftsman who knows what is best for us. There is tremendous potential in living out His callings for you, especially when you are anointed by the Holy Spirit.
Sermon Series: You Have A Calling!
你拥有独特的呼召
以弗所书 2:10 我们原是神的杰作,在基督耶稣里创造的,为要叫我们行各样的善事,就是神预先所安排的。
你是否注意到,圣经中大多数敬虔人物都不是在效法他人的人生,而是持守自己的呼召?耶稣在世时一心专注于祂的使命——遵行天父的旨意。使徒保罗蒙召成为耶稣基督的使徒,这完全是神的旨意,尽管他曾经是迫害教会的法利赛人。直到在大马士革路上遇见主,他才明白自己的呼召,生命发生了戏剧性的转变。此后,他始终专注于这呼召,满怀热忱与忠心传扬基督的福音。耶稣和保罗都清楚明白神对他们的独特托付。
亲爱的弟兄姊妹,你是否意识到自己同样拥有独特的呼召?你无需成为别人的复制品。你的呼召不在于自己的理想或父母的期望,而在于神赐予你的独特恩赐。无论神召你进入哪个领域,都要靠着祂的力量尽心竭力,追求卓越,同时持续用你的恩赐、才华和财物来服事祂。这就是分别为圣的人生——不断寻求神对你生命的旨意。
保罗在腓立比书4:13说:”我靠着那加给我力量的基督,凡事都能做。”这固然是正确的态度,但并非意味着我们可以做任何事,;而是要以谦卑受教的心,倚靠主加给我们的力量来完成祂的托付。
令人惋惜的是,许多基督徒更愿意凭己意选择人生道路,而非聆听神的计划。”肉体”代表我们那些想要独立于神而活的欲望和私念的总和。若顺从肉体活着,就意味着我们不愿将未来交托给神,也不愿回应祂的呼召,反而去追逐世俗认可的价值。我们就像离开羊圈走迷的羊,有时甚至偏行己路到撞墙跌倒的地步。因此,我们必须认识到:我们已经与基督同钉十字架,如今活着的不再是我,乃是基督在我们里面活着。
我们每个人都有不同的恩赐、背景、成就和人生经历。神为我们每一个人都预备了独特的呼召,因为祂是创造我们的主。主耶稣是我们生命的陶匠,最清楚什么对我们最有益处。当你被圣灵膏抹,活出神为你预备的呼召时,必将释放出无比的生命潜力。
讲章系列:你有蒙召的命定
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