Is it legitimate to speak of being “called”
into a particular ministry as though one has received something special that
other Christians haven’t? Is there anything supernatural, spectacular, or
mysterious about the way in which God calls us to service? Have you been called to evangelize?
The process of becoming a Christian is
succinctly described in the New Testament as God’s “call” (cf. 1 Corinthians
7:17-24). When good news was proclaimed on the Day of Pentecost, convicting the
hearts of those who heard it and prompting an obedient response, the receptive
hearers were divinely instructed: “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized
in the name of Jesus Christ for the remissions of sins; and you shall receive
the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:37-38 NKJV). Peter then gives assurance that this
promise is available to “as many as the Lord our God will call” (v. 39). Notice
that the Lord takes the initiative and issues this call by way of the gospel
message (cf. vv. 40-41).
This is further illustrated in 2
Thessalonians 2:14, where Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy remind their readers that
God “called you by our gospel” (i.e., the inspired message these missionaries
preached). The gospel is heaven’s invitation to the world to be reconciled to
God through Jesus Christ and is the means by which we are called. All who have
responded to the Lord in obedient faith are regarded as “the called” (Romans 1:6;
8:28; 1 Corinthians 1:24). Among other things, we have been called in one body
(Colossians 3:15) and in one hope (Ephesians 4:4), out of darkness into his
marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9), and into God’s kingdom and glory (1
Thessalonians 2:12).
While every Christian may not be suited to
fill the role of a front-line, soul-winning evangelist, each has been called to
participate in some way in the evangelistic enterprise. “Now all things are of
God, who has reconciled us to Himself
through Jesus Christ, and has given us
the ministry of reconciliation” (2 Corinthians 5:18). Neither the blessings nor
the responsibilities are limited to only ministerial professionals. Granted,
Christ's body is comprised of individual members, each having particular
talents, functions, and consequent duties, contributing to the integrated work
of the entire church (1 Corinthians 12:12-27). But every member must solemnly evaluate whether or not everything is being done within
his/her God-given capabilities to fulfill his/her God-given ministry of
reconciliation.
To be evangelistic, one must have a
willing predisposition to evangelism’s call. Like Paul, every follower of Jesus
ought to be driven by a convicted heart (1 Corinthians 9:16), a grave sense of
responsibility (Romans 1:13-15), a genuine concern for souls (Romans 9:1-3),
the love of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:14), and a deep appreciation for heaven’s
grace (1 Corinthians 15:9-10). Evangelistically-minded people need no “direct
supernatural guidance” to obey God’s revealed will and to respond to the
spiritual needs of this world. To be among the ones called into evangelism, all
that a faithful child of God needs is willingness, availability, training, and
commitment. The question isn’t whether or not God is calling. The question is,
are you and I listening? May more of us be ready to respond with confident
faith and obedient hearts to the call of sharing Christ with those all around
us still lost in sin.
--Kevin L. Moore
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