Called, Notwithstanding Our Glaring Weaknesses

Daily Devotional – Saturday, November 19, 2022
Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God…
1 Corinthians 1:1 (NKJV)

When He started His ministry, Jesus invited the first disciples, saying, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” (Matthew 4:19). Christ Went further and created a core group of disciples on whom He placed greater responsibilities.

Jesus Calls and Selects Apostles

According to Luke, “Now it came to pass in those days that He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. And when it was day, He called His disciples to Himself; and from them He chose twelve whom He also named apostles.” (Luke 6:12-13).

The twelve apostles were ordinary men, apart from Matthew the tax collector and probably Judas, who, according to some scholars, was well educated. They were deficient in character and individual traits but Jesus eventually transformed them into effective evangelists.

Called to be an Apostle

Incidentally, Jesus called another apostle after ascending to heaven. Notice how this apostle introduced Himself to the church in Corinth. “Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ, through the will of God…” (1 Corinthians 1:1).

By His own testimony, Paul was surprised that Jesus called Him to the office of Apostle. Paul wrote, “For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.” (1 Corinthians 15:9).

Weak but Chosen

Like the twelve apostles and Paul, Jesus has called us to serve Him by the will of God. We do not deserve the privilege of becoming co-workers with Jesus. Our sins and weaknesses are immense. We have hurt and we keep hurting Jesus is many ways.

Nevertheless, the Lord wants us to work with and for Him in bringing other stray sheep into the fold. Our calling is not an afterthought. It is by the will of God. Our frailties should motivate us to lean on Jesus every day.

Called Notwithstanding Glaring Weaknesses

Whenever you are tempted to give up on your Christian calling because of your weaknesses, remember, “He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.” (1 Thessalonians 5:24). Jesus has called you, notwithstanding your grave weaknesses. Any anonymous person said, “God does not called the qualified. He qualifies those He calls.”

Prayer
Thank You Jesus for calling me. I will follow You wherever you lead me.