Do You Know Why You Were Called?

Michael The Disciple · #1 01-14-2014, 06:56 PM

God has a purpose for those he has called.

28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. 29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Romans 8:28-29

Gods purpose in calling you is that you would become like Jesus.

Jesus shows what that looks like.

The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master. Luke 6:40

Again its about being like Jesus.

Sounds like this:

He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked. 1 John 2:6

So is that your goal and passion? To be like Jesus?

KeptByTheWord · #2 01-15-2014, 12:43 AM

I would say that it should be every true believer's heart to desire to allow the spirit of the Lord to transform our hearts so that we can become like Jesus. I know that is my deepest heart's desire, to be like Jesus.

When one really puts that thought into perspective, it can mean something scary to us. I mean, who wants to die like Jesus did? Who wants to live without a roof over our heads, or a closet for our clothes to hang in? Who wants to live from meal to meal? Who wants to be rejected by even your closest friends in your darkest hour of need? Who wants to suffer rejection, scoffing, and terrorization by the religious group of the day? I mean... when you begin to think about it in this light, that can be scary, to want to be like Jesus.

If what Paul wrote is true, then this is part of what it means to identify ourselves with Jesus, is to acknowledge that even as He suffered, that we are willing to suffer.

To be like Jesus involves much more than just receiving the HG and speaking in tongues.

To be like Jesus involves a complete death of our flesh, and self will, and a desire to allow Jesus complete control over our lives, our thoughts, and our actions.

Desiring to be like Jesus is certainly what we as believers should be doing. Problem is, we love our flesh too much, to give up things that our flesh enjoys, in order to do the things He is asking of us, but in order to walk in the heavenly places we desire to walk, we must first be willing to suffer and be obedient, even as He did.

Lafon · #3 01-15-2014, 05:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KeptByTheWord

I would say that it should be every true believer's heart to desire to allow the spirit of the Lord to transform our hearts so that we can become like Jesus. I know that is my deepest heart's desire, to be like Jesus.

When one really puts that thought into perspective, it can mean something scary to us. I mean, who wants to die like Jesus did? Who wants to live without a roof over our heads, or a closet for our clothes to hang in? Who wants to live from meal to meal? Who wants to be rejected by even your closest friends in your darkest hour of need? Who wants to suffer rejection, scoffing, and terrorization by the religious group of the day? I mean... when you begin to think about it in this light, that can be scary, to want to be like Jesus.

If what Paul wrote is true, then this is part of what it means to identify ourselves with Jesus, is to acknowledge that even as He suffered, that we are willing to suffer.

To be like Jesus involves much more than just receiving the HG and speaking in tongues.

To be like Jesus involves a complete death of our flesh, and self will, and a desire to allow Jesus complete control over our lives, our thoughts, and our actions.

Desiring to be like Jesus is certainly what we as believers should be doing. Problem is, we love our flesh too much, to give up things that our flesh enjoys, in order to do the things He is asking of us, but in order to walk in the heavenly places we desire to walk, we must first be willing to suffer and be obedient, even as He did.

Our Lord did not say it would be easy to become "like Him" .....
Matthew 16:24
Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

Mark 8:34
And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

Luke 9:23
And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

... and we must recognize that the "Cross" we are often called upon to bear can take on many forms.

Amanah · #4 01-15-2014, 05:35 AM

my desire is to wake everyday and ask the Lord what He would have me to do today, to stay sensitive to hearing and following, to be led of the Spirit.

Michael The Disciple · #5 01-15-2014, 06:59 AM

Sounds good saints!

Adam · #6 01-15-2014, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael The Disciple

28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. 29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Romans 8:28-29

Michael (or others), do you believe that, if you are saved, that it was foreknown or predestinated that it would happen?

I ask this because I truly believe that I wasn't.

Michael The Disciple · #7 01-15-2014, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adam

Michael (or others), do you believe that, if you are saved, that it was foreknown or predestinated that it would happen?

I ask this because I truly believe that I wasn't.

Well I don't want to take this thread off topic just in case anyone wants to talk about the essential need for us to be like Christ. However if you start a thread on predestination I will be glad to answer your question.

I can tell you in this context that you were predestined to BE LIKE JESUS. That's why God saves men.

Not so their business can get better. Not so they can have more fun relationships. Not even just to save their marriages altho all those things COULD happen.

The goal from Gods side is to make men and women that are holy even as he is holy.

15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

KeptByTheWord · #8 01-16-2014, 10:31 AM

If we seek JESUS, and not the fringe benefits and blessings that go along with having fellowship with Jesus, we would have people more grounded, faithful, and walking right.

When the focus shifts from Jesus, to seeking out blessings, fellowship, and the other fringe benefits.... no doubt the seed that was planted in that life will fall by the wayside, according to the parable of the sower and the seed that Jesus gave us in Matt. 13.

Matt. 13:8 "But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold."

Jesus said the good ground would be this:

Matt. 13:23 "But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty and some thirty."

Sister Alvear · #9 01-16-2014, 01:09 PM

Leisure I do not anticipate, nor desire, until reaching the fair land where it is said of the redeemed: “They shall rest from their labors.” Someone once said, “The spirit of Christ is the spirit of missions, and the nearer we get to Him, the more intense missionaries we become.”

KeptByTheWord · #10 01-16-2014, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sister Alvear

Leisure I do not anticipate, nor desire, until reaching the fair land where it is said of the redeemed: “They shall rest from their labors.” Someone once said, “The spirit of Christ is the spirit of missions, and the nearer we get to Him, the more intense missionaries we become.”

God bless you Sister!!!