How May a Young Man Know Whether He is Called or Not?

This week has been quite difficult for me, and it has been so for many reasons, but the main issue weighing upon my shoulders has been a sense of needing to recapture a vision of my "calling." Most anyone who reads my writings knows that over the past 5 years or so, I have pursued training to become a minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Having graduated from Bible college after four years of mixed "results," I have had little development in defining my call to ministry (granted, much of this comes from my own sin in lackadaisical efforts and operating in a "denominational system" that doesn't quite match my own theological perspective). So, naturally, since graduation, I have been examining and thinking through my calling unlike any other aspect of my life. As I often do when in a state of questioning and seeking answers, I contacted a few friends and mentors for guidance. One of my most powerful influences, mentor and friend Dale Wallace, pointed me back to Charles H. Spurgeon's classic work "Lectures to My Students," a collection of lectures given to students at his preaching college concerning the ministry. Specifically, I was directed to read chapter 2, "The Call to the Ministry." Let me say that I am so thankful for the direction; in Spurgeon's writing I have gained much comfort and much assurance.

Though there are a dozen or so ideas I would like do discuss, my desire is to present one question raised by Spurgeon, and provide a summary of his answer. The question is this: "How may a young man know whether he is called or not?" Now, this question is not just for the young man first seeking assurance of his call, but is also for every man called to the ministry who struggles with whether or not he is truly following the will of the Lord. So, how does Spurgeon answer such a heavy question, how does a man know he is called?

In numbered form, his answer is four-fold:
1. "The first sign of the heavenly calling is an intense, all-absorbing desire for the work."
2. "In the second place...there must be aptness to teach and some measure of the other qualities needful for the office of a public instructor."
3. "In order further to prove a man's call...he must see a measure of conversion work going on under his efforts."
4. "It is needful as a proof of your vocation that your preaching should be acceptable to the people of God."

Firstly, a man must feel the call, it must be as a "fire in his bones." If anyone feels that they could do anything other than preach, then they should do it; this is not to say that if they are able to do anything else, for our preachers should be wise men who have the ability to do anything they set their mind to. Instead, the idea is that any man who desires to preach, must desire to preach the Gospel above anything else. However, desire is not enough, for in the second place, one who is called should have the gifts to serve effectively as a minister. If a man is a stuttering, stammering fool who slips and stumbles over every word he tries to utter, perhaps it is not best for him to serve in the role of teaching and preaching from one week to another. Also, if a man is not above reproach, nor matches the characteristics described in 1 Timothy 3:2-7 or Titus 1:6-9, he is not qualified nor possesses the qualities needed to minister in the pastoral office. If the desire is there, and the man is gifted, he should preach, but in so doing, be always mindful as to whether or not the Lord is using his preaching for the conversion of souls. Spurgeon acknowledges that there must be ears to hear, but if we are prayerfully seeking the Lord to use our service for His glory, it is doubtful that we should go an entire lifetime without seeing the effects of the Word going out. Along the same lines as this point comes the fourth proof for knowing if you are called; do the people of God approve of your ministry? Is their a local assembly of Christ's body which has been encouraged by your ministry and can fully attest to your usefulness in the Gospel ministry? This is much more than a pat on the back from the blue haired ladies, but are there numerous godly people who can strongly affirm that the Lord has called you to preach His Gospel message?

As I look upon these four points, they do provide quite a bit of support for my own calling, and I can find sufficient evidence to trust that the Lord is working in my life, preparing me to serve when and where He provides. We must always remember, however, that though we are called...we are not necessary. Our God does not "need" us anymore than He needed Pharaoh long ago; for even in his hardened heart, God used Pharaoh for His glory. We are not "special" in and of ourselves, any gift we have to offer Christ's body comes from our Father above. Let us remember that our calling is just that, something we are called to on behalf of the Lord Almighty. Brothers, examine yourself! Firstly, are you called to Christ? If so, have you been called to preach the Gospel in full time service? If you match Spurgeon's four points above, I believe you must pursue that calling above all else in your life. If not...stay away from the ministry. Honor God in a "secular" vocation. Perhaps Tim Keller's article, "Vocation-Discerning Your Calling," will provide some help if this is so for you.

Father, we praise your name for the work you have done through Jesus Christ, for the redemption you offer the world through his sacrifice. For those of us you have called to give our lives to proclaim that message to the world, give us a clear sense of our calling, that we may be emboldened to stand before any man with confidence in the work of Christ. For those who think they are called, but are of little use to you and your Kingdom, rebuke them and help them find their way that they may best honor your name with their lives. You are a gracious God and we thank you for all things, for all things come by your power. In the name of your glorious Son, Jesus the Christ, we pray; Amen.

Do Not Be A Deaf Sheep

The study that follows comes out of a recent, painful experience in my own life. To make a long story short, through what I perceive to be miscommunication, someone I have long respected as a good teacher of the Word questioned my salvation. However, they did not do so directly to me, but to someone I am very close to, so I "heard it through the grapevine." There is much danger in responding to hearsay and taking offense at what someone may or may not have meant. Therefore, let me make it clear that this is not a response to the questioning of my salvation, but is a reflection upon the work of Jesus Christ as presented through his own witness and the witness of the apostles John and Paul.

"So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, 'How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.' Jesus answered them, 'I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father's name bear witness about me, but you do not believe because you are not part of my flock. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. I and the Father are one'." -John 10:24-30

As John records it, Jesus has been teaching and proclaiming his Christ-ness to the Jews. He has said that the Father has charged him with the authority to lay down his life in order that we might be saved (John 10:17-18); firstly, to the Jews, and then to those not of that "fold" (Gentiles, me and probably you) who too must be brought by Jesus to the Father. Jesus has clearly stated that he is the Anointed One, the Christ, the Messiah, sent from the Father. And yet these Jews (if not Pharisees, a group committed to Jewish tradition) ask him again to tell plainly that he is the Christ.

Jesus says "I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father's name bear witness about me, but you do not believe because you are not part of my flock. My sheep hear my voice and I know them and they follow me." This is a terrible indictment, and don't be too quick to point fingers at these unbelieving Jews, for this indictment is held against all who do not believe. Jesus' teachings are clear: he declared that he is one with the Father and that he was sent by the Father to give the world eternal life through his death. If you do not believe that, you are not of his flock, you are not his follower. That is the indictment, if you do not believe, you do not belong. Yet, those who do not believe that Jesus is who he claims to be, do not do so because of sufficient logic or reasoning, nor because of deep convictions they formulate, nor for any other reason than this: "[they] are not part of [his] flock." If you do not see the works of Jesus as bearing witness to his relationship with the Father, it is because you do not belong to him. You do not hear his voice. Those who are in the "flock," are those who believe, and they believe because they belong to God. The order here seems unnatural to many; because of our own desire to be sovereign and fully control our lives, we are adamant to say that we belong because we believe, but that is not what Jesus presents here.

Continuing, Jesus says, "I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. I and the Father are one." Those who belong to Jesus, those who believe, have eternal life from now unto eternity. It is a present gift, and because it is, they will never perish nor be snatched from his hand, for he is one with the Father, who is "greater than all."

This promise of never being snatched from Jesus' grasp leads me directly to Paul's question in Romans 8:31...

"What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died--more than that, who was raised--who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, 'For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.' No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels or rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." -Romans 8:31-39

If we truly belong to Jesus, if we are the sheep of his flock, then we are his. We will follow his voice. If Jesus is our shepherd, if he is for us, and if he is one with the Father, then the Father is for us. How do we know? Because the Father "did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all." Who can bring anything against God's people? Could the Jewish leaders condemn Jesus' followers, could their legalistic way of life bring charges against his disciples? No. God has justified his people, those who belong to him, and he has done so through Christ...therefore, Christ is interceding for us. There is no person nor is there any thing that can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Now, you can read this post and debate a number of controversial issues...but what you cannot do is condemn. I hear the voice of my shepherd, Jesus the Christ; I believe because I belong to him. If you can say the same thing, never let your faith be defined by anyone or anything other than Christ. I encourage you to remember that through Christ, we conquer every circumstance that comes our way (tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, danger, sword, etc.). Paul will say in his letter to the Philippians that he "can do all things through him who strengthens me [Paul]." Paul would follow Jesus wherever that led, if it meant doing so with nothing but the shirt on his back or if he was fully supplied with food, water, and shelter; circumstances did not dictate his identity in Christ.

Christian, remember who you belong to, remember who you believe in. Do not let your soul be crushed by condemnation from others, from Satan, or from your own deceitful heart. You are in his flock, you know his voice. We do not heed to call of strangers, for their voice is not the sweet sound of our savior's call.

Father, grant your people that read these words the ears to hear the voice of Jesus calling. Give us the discernment to know when strangers are trying to influence us to follow any other way than behind Jesus. Continue to call us, that we may not stray to the right or to the left, but that we will stay close behind as you draw us to yourself in our conforming to the image of Christ. For those who do not yet believe, we hold onto hope that they do belong to you and have yet to heed your call. Grant us graciousness Father, keep us from being a tool of destruction that seeks to condemn those who belong to you. Your Son died for all who are in your flock, may we always be mindful of that. In that Son's name, Jesus, we pray to you our Father, Amen.