Called
Pastor J. R. Wilhite, author
Close Window
Being called does not mean just to be leaders, but being called is for all who are of Christ.
God allowed man to have free will. Man (Adam) threw it back in God's face by sinning the first sin. It was a sin because God had forbidden the tree of the knowledge good and evil to be eaten of by Adam.
Why was it forbidden?
Because Adam had not matured to the point to eat of it and be able to use what he got from it correctly. It is like matches with a toddler; you tell the child not to play with them, but if they do, they can get hurt.
So, from that point on God started putting things in motion to send His only Son to build a bridge between us and Him.
All we had to do was believe and accept Jesus as the bridge. Many decided that it was not that easy and added more to it, like we must work for it, or that it was earned by good deeds, or even that each religion was right and was the way God was working to bring everyone back to Him.
If you are a true Christian, hearing from God (because that is what a true Christian is) you are one who follows God just as Jesus did.
John 14
Matthew 22
The Holy Spirit is calling on all mankind and out of all those, only a few are chosen to be worthy. These are the ones who believe and accept Jesus as Lord and Savior and listen to every word of the Father and follow the Father in all areas.
John 14
I John 2
How do we know we are saved and there is no way anyone can take that from us?
Romans 8
What is our way of life suppose to be, as Christians and leaders?
Galatians 5
"Against such there is no law" means all of the comandments and law rolled together can not stand up to the fruit of the Spirit because if you are operating in all the fruit you will never break any law.
The key to all of this and being a true and faithful Christian is:
Listening to God and doing as He says and hearing Him and of course operating in the entire fruit of the Spirit.
Romans 8
16. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
John 14
Too many Christians, including leaders, are suing each other over stupid things and operating in the world system entirely too much. It is not my place to judge because they are judged by the words of their own mouth which in time turns to actions.
We are not to judge them, but to pray for them, help them through love by being uplifting and constructive and not tearing them down and being destructive. The world will do that enough on its own.
Imagine a man who calls himself a pastor suing another Christian over a TV. I saw this and wondered. Then the Lord told me not to judge but pray for them both. By praying for them the way He wanted me to pray for them, it gave Him (God) an opportunity to work on them in the world for their improvement.
Remember that neither God nor Satan can operate in this world without our permission. It is like a house with locks and dead bolts, the only way someone can come in other than breaking in is if you unlock the locks and invite them in. That is how the Lord comes in, but Satan tries to force his way in, and in most cases he succeeds by planting thoughts that are not ours but his. At the time we are mad enough or disgusted enough to take those thoughts and allow them to become our thoughts.
If, when I see these things, I think anything other than to seek God on His thoughts, then I am opening my self up to Satan. For instance, I watch the show that had the pastor and Christian in court over a TV and thought, "You are not to sue your brother or sister in Christ in this way" I would have given Satan a way to implant even more negative thoughts and in time even given him good foot hold in me causing more and more judging.
Before we call ourselves Pastor, Evangelist, or Teacher, we need to spend as much time as needed with God in a one on one relationship to learn the ins and outs of what we will be up against and how to fall on Him instead of allowing the world in us.
Sometimes it takes weeks, others months, and still others years. Paul took about 9 years and the apostles took more than 3 years even with Jesus there in the flesh with them.
So, how much better are we than they? We are not, so we need to be sure we know we are hearing from God. To make sure it is God:
1 John 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
2. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:
So we have made sure it is God; now we need to LISTEN and STOP TALKING. He knows more than us, and every minute we talk is a minute we lose to learn from Him.
Next, we go to Him with everything and ask for His advice on all things. Remember it is with faith that you please God, and to turn to Him on all things shows your faith in His ability to advise you in all things.
Hebrews 11
A Pastor is someone who should have a group of followers sent to them by God to learn how to grow and listen to and hear from God all the time. While they are learning the pastor needs to be looking out for his flock as if they were sheep, making sure no wolves come around and take any out from the fold. The Pastor should also be in prayer for each one and their families.
So, a Pastor prays, teaches how to hear from God, and watches over the flock until they are ready to go out on their own.
A Teacher is judged, come Judgment Day, in a total different way, because a teacher is responsible for what he/she teaches.
2 Peter 2
Ephesians 4
We are to be as close to perfect as possible, and this is done by our learning from those we listen to and God on how to live a life that is whole and worthy of God. For teachers prepare the rest for the day when we will be before the Lord.
Colossians 1
We are all equal in the eyes of the Lord as long as we are operating in the anointing and have not shed the blood from us of our Lord.
For more on this topic read "Are You Called?"
God Bless You as you hear His words and follow His leading.
Sponsors
Site Designed and Sponsored by Net Development
Designed by Netdevelopment.net
Copyright © 1996-2008
H.O.M.E.
All Rights Reserved.