A Pause to Ponder God's Word
"Called then Gifted"

Jesus, walking along the seashore, came upon Peter and Andrew, who were casting their fishing nets into the sea. He called to them saying, "Come, follow me and I will make you fishers of men." In John 15 Jesus reminds the disciples that they had not chosen Him, but He had chosen and appointed them to bear much fruit. (v.16) These passages, along with others, reveal that Jesus calls people to Himself and to service (or ministry as we more often refer to it.) The two cannot be separated. His call to follow Him includes the call to ministry.

 Every Christian is called to ministry. Each is also specifically called and gifted by God for a distinctive ministry, or, you might prefer, a distinctive part of His ministry. There are an abundance of books, studies, and workshops to help Christians discover their spiritual gift(s) so that they can be involved in ministry. The assumption is that if people discover their gift(s) they will get involved in ministry. A second assumption is that gift(s) are always a lifetime possession. This understanding of spiritual gifts has caused a reversal of the biblical paradigm of hearing the call, obeying it, and accepting the spiritual gifts that God graciously gives to accomplish it.

 Jesus called Peter and Andrew to follow Him and He would make them fishers of men. He did not identify their gifts and tell them they would make good fishers of men. He called. They obeyed. He gifted. The seven who were chosen to serve tables in Acts 6 were placed into the position and then gifted to fulfill it. Their call came through the body, but it was no less God's call. It is noteworthy that when the believers were deliberating over this issue the only qualifications mentioned were "being full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom." They did not look for people who were gifted in serving tables. The call was identified, not the gift(s). For Stephen and Philip, two of the seven, obedience to this call opened the way for them to move into other ministry areas. The Apostle Paul repeatedly recounts His conversion noting that he was simultaneously called and commissioned to his ministry. The gifting came as needed.

 Rather than expending effort and energy into discovering our gifts, we need to listen intently to God. Remaining cognizant of the fact that every Christian is called to ministry and that each is called to a specific aspect of the ministry is foundational to being alert and attentive to God's call. His call may be spoken directly to our hearts or indirectly by His speaking through other means, such as Christian leaders (pastors, teachers, mentors, elections, appointments) or situations. There have been times when someone has said that they are involved in a specific ministry because no one else would do it. Could     it be that this was the "means" through which God called that person to that precise ministry?

 Some Christians neglect ministry because their ears are deaf to God's call. Others are not involved because they are working so hard to discover their gift(s) that they miss God's call. Still others are paralyzed by their unwillingness to obey their call, thinking they are not gifted and unable to do what God has called them to do.

 Knowing what one's gift is does not motivate obedience. Call requires decisive action - obey or disobey. It is clear that God gifts us to fulfill a call. Therefore beloved, let us listen carefully, obey and humbly accept God's grace gifts. The thrill and joy of being used by God in ministry awaits us!

Keep Close To Jesus
Pastor Gerry


A Pause To Ponder God's Word is written and distributed by Gerald Whetstone, Ordained Elder and teacher in the Church of the Nazarene. These devotionals may be transmitted, duplicated, used in part or in entirety without permission for nonprofit purposes only. Responses welcome. To Subscribe Click Here.
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