Why has God called you?
“As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.” Ephesians 4:1
This verse simply says, “Live life with a certain mindset—with particular values.” It is focused on the word “called.” “Live a life worth of the calling you received.” Two words are used for “called” here. The first is like an invitation. The second like an appointment. So, we could read the verse like, “Life a life worthy of the invitation to which you have been appointed.”
In the first three chapters of Ephesians Paul repeats the truth that we have been appointed to be part of Kingdom of God. Those who believe in Jesus Christ as their personal Savior, God has chosen before the foundation of the earth, and already elected to be part of His family. The NIV translation picks up this concept,
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“As a prisoner of the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.”
He is saying, since we have received a call from God, an invitation from God, live a life by embracing values that show it.
What would it be like to receive an invitation over the phone from God? The conversation could go something like this:
(Ring, ring.)
Jay, answering: “Hello.”
God: “Yes, hello. This is God calling. Who is this?
Jay, surprised: “Wow, is it really you, God? This is great. Well, Lord, this is Jay.”
God, musing: “Jay? Jay? Hummm… Jay who? I must have the wrong number.”
Jay, puzzled: “You know, God. This is Jay. Jay Quine.”
God: “Oh, Jay Quine…I’m sorry to bother you. I called you by mistake.” (Click)
Hopefully a call from God wouldn’t go like that for you! Likely it would go more like this.
(Ring, ring.)
Jay, answering: “Hello, Quine residence (taking no chances this time!).”
God: “Hello, Jay. This is God calling. Yes, the Lord here. I’m calling you because I know you have received and accepted my invitation to be part of my Kingdom, to come to the greatest wedding celebration the universe has ever seen, and I’m asking a few people to pick up a few things on the way.”
Jay: Looking back over his shoulder, “Hey honey, it’s the Lord on the phone! God wants ME to pick something up for the wedding feast!”
“Yeah, sure Lord. What can I bring?” (Right now you’re very thankful you canceled call waiting!) “Do you want me to pick up some dinner rolls or something?”
God: “No, Jay, no. Don’t worry about the bread. I have the bread covered.”
Jay: “Okay. I know what. I’ll bring something to drink. Is that it Lord?”
God: “No, Jay, no. Don’t worry about drinks. I have the wine and the cups already taken care of.”
Jay: “Well Lord, what is it then?”
God: “Jay, I want you to pick up some humility before you arrive.”
Long pause.
Jay: “Uhh, hello Lord? Ummm, why don’t you just let me bring the dessert?”
We want to focus on our DOING things for the Lord, but He wants us to be concerned about our BEING first. What we think about our BEING is reflected in our value system we employ in life. Humility is a foundational life value.
Ephesians 4:2
“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.”
Humility. The finest definition of this word is found in Scripture itself. Humility is both being a servant and being realistic about yourself. In other words, humility is being realistic about your service to God in this life. Be real about the gifts entrusted to you, and your progress in the development of those gifts.
Philippians 2:5-11 tells us of Christ’s humility—which was so great that in obedience to the will of the Father, He became a man, a man in the form of a servant, who went to the cross to die for us all. Mark 10:45 explains that Christ went to the cross as a servant; to serve us. Humility thus means being an obedient servant to God with the goal to serve others.
Humility also involves knowing who you are. Don’t think of yourself too lowly (false humility), nor too highly (pride). Be realistic about yourself. Romans 12:3 says, “Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.” Be sound in your evaluation about yourself. That is also humility.
So to summarize, humility is a value concerning your realistic contribution in your service to God. It implies allowing others to be involved in contributions you realize you cannot make. Humility triggers many other life values.
God again speaking: “Jay, I want you to pick up some humility: serve Me as you serve others with a realistic evaluation of yourself. Know what you can do. Know what you can’t and must let others do.”
Jay: “Okay, Lord. I hear you.”
The Lord doesn’t just want humility in our basket. He wants us to pick up another item on the way as well—patience. Ephesians 4:2 continues,
Be patient, bearing with one another.
Imagine your at the store to pick up a few items—just a couple of things. You don’t need a shopping cart. You pick up bread, eggs, then remember milk and orange juice…and then oh yeah, coffee, coffee filters, and some chicken. Balancing all this stuff they head for the checker, turn the aisle corner and bamm—I knock into you. Down go the eggs one direction, and the milk your direction! Splat, all over your shoes, pants, and a few stray drops manage to fly up to your cheek. You may say what you will regret! That’s where patience comes in.
God speaking: “Jay, I want you to pick up some patience.”
Okay, so somebody made a mistake; someone made a bad decision on your church board, or your management team at work, or your child made a childish decision. Just be patient. Be humble. And maybe, if you are realistic about yourself, you will find that you may be able to help in just the right way. Patience helps you serve others with that humility you already picked up. It is a value that is foundational for the maturation and function of other values and your gifts.
