Should I Answer His Call

Answering His Call

What does “the call” feel like and is He really calling me? Two questions rolled into one that many people ask themselves. I can share with you what the feeling of the call to teach the Bible felt like to me. Early in my Christian walk God gave me a hunger for His Word. This was (and is) true especially of the New Testament. I devoured it like a person who had an unquenchable thirst. But the feeling of God’s calling to me can best be described as a feeling of wanting to run with the word. Like a horse ‘chomping at the bit’ there was an inner urge to take the word and run with it. The urge was strong and it is still there. Go with the word a strong urge within. If you have this urge, this need actually, on the inside that is the Holy Spirit within you giving direction. Listen to Him and you will never regret it—ignore it and it does not go away—because it is His calling.

But I, I have never been to seminary or Bible School and have no credentials that are required. I don’t feel very well equipped. Neither did the early church preachers and the Holy Spirit did a great job with them. Let’s look at what Paul said to the church at Corinth.

1 Corinthians 1:20 Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? (21) For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. (22) Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, (23) but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, (24) but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. (25) For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.

Paul says where is the world’s wisdom and where are those with all the education? Where are those philosophers’s? In spite of all their worldly wisdom they did not know God. They did not see Him behind everything that is, they missed Him in all that was created. They failed to listen to His word. They considered the word that was preached to be foolish yet God was pleased (thrilled, delighted, contented, overjoyed) to save the souls of those who listened and dared to believe. And some He called to keep this message alive—you are one of those.

Paul said the Jews wanted miracles on demand just as they demanded them from Jesus. (Matthew 12:38 Then some of the Pharisees and teachers of the law said to him, "Teacher, we want to see a miraculous sign from you."). And the Greeks wanted to see His diplomas or find out what great teacher He had studied under. But what Paul preached was Jesus Christ and Him crucified (1 Corinthians 2:2). And you do not need approval of men to do that. What you do need is the power to go in the Holy Spirits leading.

Paul said what he preached was a stumbling block to the Jews –they failed to recognize their Messiah in the flesh in spite of the miracles. And to the Greeks the idea of a single God was crazy.

At this time we come to a scripture that should warm the hearts of those of you who feel the urge to preach or teach God’s word.

1Cor 1:25b but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. (26) For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.

To those that are feeling called to preach Christ is the source of your power and wisdom. And remember that any seemingly foolish thing that comes from God is far wiser than man’s wisdom. And any weak thing (you and me) that springs from God is stronger than earthly men. Your strength will be His strength and you must learn to rely upon it instead of yourself. Rely on Him in Whom you have placed your faith for eternity. He will not let you fall.

Paul continues:

1 Corinthians 1:26 Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. (27) But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. (28) He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things--and the things that are not--to nullify the things that are, (29) so that no one may boast before him. (30) It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God--that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. (31) Therefore, as it is written: "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord."