August 19

Called of God

"Lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called of God." Ephesians 4:1

We have been called of God to a heavenly vocation; we no longer work for earthly pleasures, but for spiritual gain. Everything that our hands find to do has become part of that spiritual vocation. Every act of service, whether to our families, our jobs, and our churches becomes an act of spiritual worship, a way of telling our Father in heaven how thankful we are to be His son or daughter. Our lives are no longer filled with the mundane, but are filled with the glory of serving God. When our lives are transformed in this way, we will be leading a life worthy of our calling. Our lives will speak to all with  whom we come in contact, declaring to whom we belong, and by whom we were called. There will be no question in the minds of our neighbors, friends, or relatives that we belong to God Almighty in Christ Jesus! Our Christianity will define us. All with whom we come in contact will see Jesus in us. Our lives will have become a living testimony of the gospel and its transforming power. What a challenge this is for us! It is one that can only be attained if we allow Jesus Christ to take over all aspects of our lives. As the Apostle Paul says in Philippians 3:10, "I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection." When we truly know Christ Jesus and allow the power of the Holy Spirit, the same power that raised Jesus from the dead, to take over our lives, our very being will shout the gospel message to the world!

Father, thank you for the privilege of being called to sonship! Help us to lead a life worthy of your calling. Free us from self and fill us with your Holy Spirit. Let Christ shine through my life to all with whom I come in contact and may everything my hands find to do rise up as sweet incense to you, dear Lord, bringing you glory and honor! Amen