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Volume. XXXVII, No. 19 Analogies of the Christian Calling (Part 2) 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 the 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.
1 Corinthians 3:7-10 - "So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building. According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon." We are to be diligent, not indolent, and be patient in sowing and watering and also reaping with spiritual fruits in due time. Our labour for the Lord will not be in vain (1 Corinthians 15:58). It is of great joy to see the fruits of our missions in India, Country X, Indonesia and Myanmar (although we were not able to go there these past 2 years due to the pandemic), as souls be saved by the grace of God. Remember we will reap what we sow (Galatians 6:7-10). Farmers are industrious and faithful workers. Let us do our part for the Lord in the wide harvest fields in His vineyard as well as wherever the Lord puts us.
1 Peter 2:11-12 - "Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation." and Hebrews 11:13-16 - "These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city." Do not drive your stakes too deep for tomorrow we may break camp. This was John Bunyan's favourite analogy in his much-celebrated allegorical work, Pilgrim's Progress, in the 17th century. Pilgrims have a religious objective to seek God. We are depicted, not as long-term citizens of a fallen world or permanent residents, but temporal travellers on the earth amidst dangers and trials (i.e., Slough of Despond, Apollyon, Castle of Fear, etc) yearning forward to the imminent coming of our Lord when we will be forever in the presence of the Lord in the celestial city one day. While a vagabond has no home, and a fugitive is running away from home, a pilgrim is on his way home. Let us live with this mindset while we are overseas that we may set our affections on things above and not on the earth (Colossians 3:1).
2 Corinthians 5:20 says, "Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God." It is a great honour to be an ambassador of a country (Ephesians 6:20). We represent our heavenly country, heaven, where our Lord Jesus is King and let us be worthy and honourable envoys of Christ while we are in a foreign land. Our conduct and speech is to be honourable and compatible with our high calling. We can bring fame or shame to the name of Christ by our words, conduct and actions and we are to be effective and exemplary diplomats for our Lord.
Conclusion As Christians, we are called to be spiritual ambassadors, soldiers, athletes, farmers, pilgrims and strangers on the earth. We are to be good witnesses and stewards as well for Christ's sake even in a global health crisis. That means that our Christian testimony and duty on earth is more than making money or earthly promotions or economic achievements in the workplace. Godly demeanour, consistent personal and corporate prayer life and regular Sabbath worship, evangelism and the faithful service of the most High God is not to be neglected. There is much to be done besides excelling in the secular workplace (which is important). We are to be reliable and responsible stewards and ambassadors for Christ to honour and serve Him first on earth wherever He puts us. We represent the Almighty Jehovah, the King of kings and the Lord of lords and that is a grave duty and prerogative to be discharged fearfully by all.
By Rev Jack Sin |
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