2 CORINTHIANS – Marks Of A True Calling Of God – It May Surprise You!
Do you have a genuine call of God on your life? If you do, how would you prove it? Some may answer, “The Lord spoke to my heart.” Others may say, “It’s the lives that have been changed by my ministry.” Still others proclaim, “It’s the supernatural power of God flowing through my life.” All of these are valid evidences of God’s call. But that’s not how the Apostle Paul proved to the Corinthian church that he was called as a genuine Apostle of God. You might be surprised to learn how Paul validated his calling.
Paul’s first letter to the church he planted in Corinth was strong and corrective. There was mixture in the house, strife among people and a misunderstanding of what true spirituality really meant. As an Apostle of Christ, his assignment was to set the church in order with sound doctrine and godly practices. But after receiving his painful letter, some didn’t like it! In fact, they began to doubt his divine authority and if he was even an Apostle at all! Thus, when Paul wrote his second letter, he squarely addressed his accusers (2 Cor. 13:2-3). How would you defend yourself if this had been you? Listen carefully.
1. A Genuine Call of God Is a Selfless Life Lived Vicariously for Others (2 Cor. 4:5-10). When Paul defended his apostleship, he wrote, “We do not preach ourselves but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your bond-servants for Jesus’ sake.” In other words, it’s NOT about us…it’s about Jesus and what HE did for people. So, who are we who preach the Gospel? Just “jars of clay,” inexpensive and easily broken, through whom the light of Jesus shines for your benefit.
2. A True Call of God Includes Both Glory and Dishonor (2 Cor. 6:4-10). Ministry is a mixed bag. At times people honored Paul and at other times they maligned and insulted him. At times he was commended and at other times condemned. Don’t think honor alone is a mark of God’s calling. If you are truly called, you will probably offend the self-righteous and judgmental. Just be sure you’re suffering for Christ, and not your own foolishness (1 Pet. 3:15-17)!
3. A Genuine Call of God Is Accompanied by Pain, Suffering and Hardships (2 Cor. 11:22-28). A young seminary student wouldn’t want to hear this, but it’s true. As Paul continued his defense, he opened his life for others to see the true work of an apostle. It’s not sitting in comfortable quarters writing letters to churches. Listen to Paul’s qualifications: “Imprisonments, beaten times without number, often in danger of death. Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes. Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent in the deep.” Now…who wants to be an Apostle?
4. A True Call of God Is Validated by God’s Revelatory Truth (2 Cor. 12:1-4). Revelation is the self-disclosure of God concerning Himself and His eternal purposes for heaven and earth. Paul’s mind had been opened to see the inner workings of God’s Kingdom and His intentions for His Church. He saw through the veneer of human pride and arrogance and revealed the grace and patience of the Lord as He matures His Church to be His Bride. But before you ask for this kind of encounter with God…read 2 Cor. 12:7. It comes with thorns!
There you have it…the way Paul validated his call from God. So how do you measure up? Very few of us would be able to say, “Oh sure…that’s me!” But what this does is to make us deeply appreciate and honor the sacrificial work of men and women who have true callings from the Lord. One more thing…it humbles those of us who wear titles such as, “Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor and Teacher!” If you're going to boast, boast in your weakness and God's strength! (2 Cor. 12:9-10)
Dan Rhodes
