“…Brethren give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall.” 2 Peter 1:10
When Saul of Tarsus met the Lord Jesus on the road to Damascus, there was a breaking up of a faulty, and deficient foundation and philosophy in his mind, and a gradual casting down of lies that he was believing concerning Christ. His name, Saul of Tarsus, before that meeting, and even for some time afterward, struck fear in the hearts of believers of his day, for he was a persecutor of those who would follow Christ. The words of Ananias, a disciple of Christ, called upon by the Lord Jesus to meet Saul, would describe who and what Saul was at that time: “…I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to Thy saints at Jerusalem.” (Acts 9:13) Ananias was very concerned about meeting with Saul, as he knew that Saul had come to Damascus with the authority form the chief priests to bind, or take prisoner, all that would call on the name of the Lord Jesus. It is at this time that the Lord tells Ananias something that will alleviate his fears, and at the same time give him confidence in going forward to obey the Lord’s commands with regard to Saul. The Lord said: “Go thy way, for he (Saul) is a CHOSEN VESSEL unto Me, to bear My name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel.” (Acts 9:15) What is so important about the answer of the Lord to Ananias? It is the fact that Ananias was called upon to believe Christ, and obey Him, based upon Christ’s wisdom, authority, and purpose. That which began to strengthen the heart of Ananias were Jesus’ words: “…he (Saul) is a chosen vessel unto Me.” This phrase changes the entire scenario of that day, for the foremost persecutor of the disciples of Christ had been chosen by God, to be His servant, to be His witness before all nations, kings, and specifically, the nation of Israel. God’s words to Ananias would speak of His sovereign power, will, and purpose in revealing Himself to Saul, and that Saul’s calling in life would be from heaven, by the Holy Spirit, in the service of Christ, with the blessing of God upon it. The pattern of God’s dealings with Saul of Tarsus, and His calling of Saul, to bring him to conversion, and the new birth, would be also important for the church of his day, and for all present believers on the face of the earth today. How?
In Paul’s letter to the believers in Rome, he wrote: “For the gifts and the calling of God are without repentance.” (11:29) In this phrase he reveals a truth that is very stabilizing to a believer’s faith. It is that God’s calling of an individual, and by calling is meant not only His work in the heart and life to bring the lost unbeliever to a saving knowledge of Him, but to seal him by the Spirit for time and eternity. God establishes faith upon the bedrock of Christ’s saving work. God’s word is His bond, and commitment, honored, blessed, and faithfully fulfilled and accomplished. An example of this is in Christ’s words concerning His sheep. He declared in John’s gospel, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand.” (10:28) To realize that faith in the faithfulness of God does not depend upon feeling, subjective experience, or circumstances, but upon of Christ’s faithful commitment to honor, and accomplish His word, by His power and authority, brings great peace and stability to the life.
It was Peter who wrote also that the believer should make his calling and election sure. Why? When the knowledge of one’s union with Christ is established in the heart, there is added to faith that strength to believe resolutely in the God of the impossible.
Dear Father, Confirm Thy calling today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.