The Call, Cost and Crown of Following Jesus (Part 1)

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Matthew 11 vs 28 - 30.

The Call To Christ

The Bible makes it clear that God loves men so much. He gave Jesus His Son to died in our place so that those who believe in Him might receive the free gift of salvation. A larger percentage of believers understand this simple gospel but too often we see that many believers experience unexpected difficulties and persecution due to their faith in Christ and some fall out of faith. A believer should know the call of God attached to following Christ. 

The call to Christ is as follows:

1. Call to Salvation (Repentance):  Luke 5:32, Romans 1:16, 2Corinthians 6:2, 1Thes.5:9. The first call of God and Christ is the call to salvation through repentance from all our sins. Our walk with God begins with heeding to the call of repentance from sins.  Repentance is the act of turning away from every known sin, forsaking them in order to accept the offer of salvation purchased with the precious blood of Jesus. Repentance is a necessity to obtaining salvation. After responding to this call, the sinner is set on the path to follow Christ and become his disciples.
2. Call to Sanctification(Holiness): In our text above, in verse 29, Jesus said "take my yoke upon you and learn of me". This means we are called to be like Christ in lifestyle and character. After repentance, we are expected to live like Christ would and do what only He would do. Many hold the misconception of accepting Jesus and living like they used to and do whatever seems fit for them and the people around them. This is far from the truth. We are called to be set apart, sanctify for holy use. Your body becomes God's temple and not a harlot house. Everything you own (skill, talents, gifts, etc) is set apart for holy service to God and the gospel service. Holiness is God's nature, God's lifestyle. We are called to be holy. In Matthew 5:48: Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. In 1Peter1:14-16: "As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy".  Further reading John 17:17,19; Ephesians 5:25-27; 1Thess.5:23; Hebrews 13:12. Sanctification is a distinct Christian experience provided by the Lord Jesus to those who have accepted the call to repentance. Like salvation, you receive this wonderful experience by faith and prayer as should present your body, soul, and spirit to God wholly. Leviticus 20:7,8. 2Cor.7:1 "Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God".
3. Call to Service: this may sound surprising to you that all born-again Christians are called to serve in the kingdom of God. This call is not for special men of God like it used to be in the old testament where the Spirit of God will fall upon few men and they will prophesy and do some other work of God. In the new testament, right at salvation, a portion of the Spirit of God is deposited in every converted Christian and that qualifies them to offer holy services to God. We are all called to preach the gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-18. We are called to offer our self, time, skills, money and resources to help in the service in the church of God. We are called to pray and intercede for the conversion of souls globally. The natural and acquired skills are to be deployed in serving God in the community and in the church of God.
4. Call to Separation from the World:  In James 4:4:  "Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God". 1Corinthians 6:14-18: "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty".
5. Call to Holy Spirit Baptism: Acts 1: 8 "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth". Luke 24:49 "And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high".  Acts 2: 1-4,38, 3:19, 5: 21-33. The gift of the Holy Ghost is for every saved and sanctified believer who hungers and thirsts for more of God's fullness. The Holy Ghost baptism aids the believers greatly in facing the challenges of running the Christian race and fighting against satanic forces combating your faith. The Holy Ghost is the promised comforters, who know how to comforts the believers no matter the events surrounding your life. You need Him. Pray and thirst for the Holy Ghost baptism.

The Cost of Following Christ

Does following Christ has a cost we have to pay? Does it mean Christ did not pay it all as we used to say? Not at all, Jesus paid the price of our present and eternal salvation. Then what cost are we talking about? You may ask. The cost referred to here is the price of bringing your body under subjection to God's word, defying world amusement, pleasures, and privileges. The call of God always comes with a price. 

To be continued...

 

*banner from Unsplash

*all verses are in Kings James Version

 

 

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