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Volume. XXXVII, No. 18 Analogies of the Christian Calling (Part 1) Those who are saved by sovereign grace are called to walk worthy of the Lord in our several vocations (Ephesians 4:1). Among others in the Old Testament, Daniel was religiously faithful to his spiritual convictions in a foreign land Babylon (Daniel 1:1-11). Joseph was also morally tested, passed the test in idolatrous Egypt and was promoted in the end (Genesis 39:1-12). Abraham was posted overseas permanently to start a new generation of people in a new land of Canaan (Genesis chapters 12, 15 &17) and God blessed and prospered him greatly. We want to study how we can be good witnesses and testimonies for our Lord Jesus Christ from the Word of God even in a pandemic.
The Bible used six analogies or metaphors to depict and describe the Christian life appropriately and here they are.
The world emphasizes ownership but the Bible says that we are not owners but called to be custodians, managers or trustees of the manifold grace of God and there is accountability to God one day. We are to be responsible for that which is entrusted to us and we need to manage it well productively to glorify the master. Note 1 Peter 4:10-11 "As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen." Everyone has a gift and we are to be using it for the glory of God and to edify others and not ourselves (Romans 12:6-8). Paul in 1 Corinthians 4:2 says "Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful." There is a requirement for all stewards, faithfulness or accountability to God one day and that is a grave duty. Our Lord has given to each one of us different talents and resources to all as He wills. We are not to hoard our talents or gifts but to discover, develop and employ them fruitfully as good and faithful stewards to the blessing of others. We are all accountable to God at the bema of the judgement seat of Christ one day (2 Corinthians 5:10) and He will reward us one day for our work done for Him in eternity (Matthew 25:15-30). Let us serve the Lord faithfully wherever you are in a Reformed church to the edifying of the saints and the saving of souls.
2 Timothy 2:2-4 - "And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier." We have National Service in Singapore, and all able-bodied young men have to do about 2 years of tough training and then a military vocation where they are constantly to be ready and alert all the time. The Israelis have one of the best armies in the world and the Singapore Armed Forces have learnt from them when it began. We are all conscripted in the Lord's army. We are all in a spiritual warfare zone and there is an enemy waiting to devour us if possible (1 Peter 5:8). We need to be alert, disciplined soldiers and be readily equipped with full amour of God and vigilant to potential dangers in this fallen world and let us not be entangled with the affairs of the world but please only our Commander, our Lord Jesus Christ. Are you equipped and ready to fight well today?
Hebrews 12:1-2 says, "Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." The Olympics had just ended but our athletes here are busy training and equipping for the next competition. We are all involved in a long race of life and we are to keep spiritually fit and healthy and run carefully, keeping to the rules that is set for us with perseverance and endurance, looking up to Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:1-2). Christian athletes are not to disqualify themselves by going against the regulations set for us by God (1 Corinthians 9:24-27). There is to be no doping or cheating in the race and no spiritual or moral compromise or cutting corners as well. Let us keep to the rules and run patiently and win the eternal prize and bring glory to God (Philippians 3:13-14). To be continued…
By Rev Jack Sin |
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