Why Are You A Christian?

Chapter 5

You See Your Calling, Brethren

"For you see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; . . .and the base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to naught things that are: that no flesh should glory in his presence." 1 Corinthians 1:26-29

For the most part, God is bypassing the world's standards of greatness and calling the ordinary of the human race to compose the "little flock." How will this "bring to naught things that are"? Down through history, man's wisdom has tried every conceivable philosophy and political and/or economic ideology, but man has failed to solve humanity's problems. Each page of history is a record of man's inhumanity to man. The flaw is not so much the ideology, but man's selfish heart. History confirms the Biblical teaching that man is born in sin and "shapen in iniquity" (Psalm 51:5). The twentieth century started with great expectations. Through science and technology, utopia would be attained! Alas, this century is closing in disillusionment. Communism has failed.

Capitalism is on the verge of bankruptcy. Unprecedented crime, vice, drugs and immorality are the symptoms of a civilization self destructing. In the meantime, the earth is becoming a wasteland of pollution. With over five billion people thinking of self first, could it be otherwise?

Thus the Lord has "brought to nought things that are." Human history has proven the futility of man's efforts. "No flesh can glory in his [God's] presence." No president, prime minister or statesman-or anyone-can boast that he has the solution for all man's individual or collective ills.

But there are a few who have learned early not to trust in the arm of flesh for solutions. Through faith in God's word they realize that only God's Kingdom will completely solve man's ills. They have accepted Jesus as their saviour and made a full consecration to do God's will. Their calling is to be judges, priests and kings with Christ in God's Kingdom. These Christians are not relieved of their share of the tragedies common to man (1 Corinthians 10:13). Although many of mankind become bitter or hardened by the tragedies of this life, consecrated Christians have the peace of God which passeth all understanding (Philippians 4:7). Their faith realizes that tragedy provides the Lord an opportunity to develop in them a tender and understanding heart.

The loss of a loved one-husband, wife, parent, child-can mentally scar. Physical tragedy such as being crippled, blind or deaf can leave one a forgotten member of the human family. Drug addicts, alcoholics, the mentally ill have found that few can understand. Then there are the scars of mental or physical abuse by a stranger or even a loved one. To those in economic poverty, nothing could be worse. Then there is loneliness. Some have experienced a darkness of loneliness that no human hand could reach. To consecrated Christians these various experiences provide a unique opportunity to patiently endure, while the Spirit of God transforms them day by day into the likeness of Christ (1 Peter 1:7; 2 Corinthians 4:16-18).

Foremost is the struggle of subduing sinful flesh and its interests. These are the "fightings within" (2 Corinthians 7:5; 10:4-6; Hebrews 12:4). The Christian's struggle against his own fallen flesh gives him compassion and understanding concerning the sin ingrained in the hearts of men. A priest is one "Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity." Hebrews 5:2

Finally the church will be united with Christ during his return and share the glory of his Kingdom. Like him (1 John 3:2) they shall be compassionate priests, understanding judges, and benevolent kings (Revelation 20:6; 1 Corinthians 6:2). As a composite they will fully understand the sin sick, mentally warped, emotionally scarred, physically marred world of mankind.

Why are you a Christian? If you yearn to glorify God-serving Him by blessing all-God will certainly grant you this deepest prayerful desire.

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Who is a Christian?

Is God Trying to Convert the World Now?

The Christian's Calling

The Kingdom

You See Your Calling Brethren

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