BY RON BARTANEN ā At the first of Jesusā earthly ministry, and again at the end, He gave the call to His disciples, āFollow meā (Matthew 4:19 and John 21:22).
While the call of those who were to be apostles was personal and for a definite mission, Jesus continues to call today through the gospel. Paul reminded the Thessalonian Christians of that calling, writing, āHe called you by our gospel to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christā (2 Thess. 2:14).
Whenever and wherever the gospel of Christ is proclaimed, and men and women respond with a commitment of faith in obedience to that call, you will find Christians, members of the Lordās spiritual body, the church. In fact, the Greek word ecclesia, translated āchurchā, literally means āthe called out.āāthose called out of the world to manifest Christ as the light of the world.
Those who truly heed and answer to His call find significant change takes place in their lives. Sin no longer reigns as the master of oneās life, where Jesus has been enthroned. Christians are in this world to make a difference, or as Paul wrote the Philippian congregation,
āThat you may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom you shine as lights in the worldā (Phil. 2:15).
This is the commitment we made to the Lord when, with hearts of faith and repentance, we were āburied with Christ in baptism into death: that as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of lifeā (Acts 2:36-38; Romans 6:4). Paul then added verse 17:
āYou have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered to you. Being then made free from sin, you became the servants of righteousness.ā
The response of our hearts to the call of Christ should be in prayerful obedience, as expressed in the words of the last verse of the popular hymn, āJesus Calls Usā:
Jesus calls us: by Thy mercies,
Savior, make us hear Thy call.
Give our hearts to Thine obedience,
Serve and love Thee best of all.
Many live their lives in hopeless frustration. Life, for such, seems to be without purpose and hope. Jesus gives purpose, hope and meaning to life for all who are willing to accept Godās gift of salvation.
Are you daily heeding the call of the Savior: āFollow thou Meā?
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