Does Your Life Reflect Your Calling?
The Bible is our only real source of truth. We can know the promises and requirements God made to His people, if we will simply obey what we read when we study the Bible. Yet most people are ignorant of what the Bible says because they choose not to study it or obey it.
For instance, did you know that the Bible says that God looks for a certain type of person to serve Him? By studying this scripture we can see that God will courageously defend those whose hearts are perfectly at one with Him.
2 Chronicles 16:9
For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars.
Hanani the seer was sent to speak these words against King Asa because the King had chosen not to rely on God to deliver him from his enemies. Instead of trusting God as he had in the past, he decided to steal the silver and gold out of the house of the Lord and buy his protection from the King of Syria.
The lesson of scripture is that King Asa failed to maintain a perfect heart towards God. Exactly then, what does "them whose heart is perfect toward him" mean?
The word "perfect" is #8003 and is pronounced shaw-lame'. It means complete (literally or figuratively); especially friendly. Considering the other passages where #8003 is used, it is clear that those whose hearts are perfect toward Him are people that are completely united (one) with God and are in complete agreement with the truth of His word.
God is always trustworthy! But when we doubt that God will do what we ask of Him, we cease to believe in God. We turn away from God when we doubt Him. That is why God looks for people to be united with Him so He can be strong in their behalf. We really do need to understand this because disobedience usually follows doubt as it did with Asa. By that same understanding, obedience usually follows faith in God. It is our choice!
If you want to do an eye-opening study of God's word, showing where you stand with God, study the promises of God in the scriptures and see if God is "strong in your behalf." Be honest with your study, because if you are not blest according to the promises God made, your heart is not yet "perfect with God."
This agrees with the following Scriptures:
Ephesians 4:11-13
11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ:
The more we become like Jesus Christ, the more we will be in complete agreement with our Father in heaven. Comparing verse 13 with 2 Chronicles 16:9 shows that when God finds someone that believes in Him, He is always there for them. Jesus Christ had complete faith in God the Father. God wants us to become like Jesus Christ.
John 17:20-23
20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;
21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.
22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:
23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.
Jesus Christ prayed this for us just before His crucifixion. It is obvious that He is in complete agreement with His Father. Are we also in agreement? Do our actions show that we also are one with God? Are you an answer to Jesus Christ's prayer?
John 10:27-30
27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.
30 I and my Father are one.
There are many scriptures that show us that we must be in complete agreement with God and that we must desire to obey the Bible. That is our calling!
This is where all professing Christians (not just Sunday keepers) go wrong. They refuse to trust God completely to do whatever He says. They are like King Asa in that they may follow Him one time but the next time they will obtain comfort and protection elsewhere. The Great God will not ever tolerate this behavior in His people. Such conduct demonstrates an unwilling heart given to rebellion.
God will not call someone in this age that does not have the potential to be in the 1st resurrection. Does your life reflect your calling? Has your study of God's word changed you to the point that you are completely at one with God?
2 Timothy 3:16-17
16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
We must read and study God's word so that we know God's will, and then because we trust Him, we choose to always be in agreement with Him. Then God will show Himself strong in your behalf.
Let's never doubt God or find a reason to reject His word. Then you will be the type of person God is looking for to add to His kingdom.
It truly is a matter of the heart!
