1 Corinthians 1:9 God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

From verse 1 through this one, Paul speaks repeatedly of “calling,” and in this one he tells how it all happens: through God’s faithfulness. We aren’t called because we are wonderful, we are called because God is faithful, and He is love. Paul could not have fulfilled his calling as an apostle on his own, and we can’t fulfill our calling to holiness on our own, but God is faithful, and He will do it. As Paul wrote to the Thessalonians, “May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.” (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24) We too are to strive to be faithful, but we are nowhere near as faithful as God is. As the hymn says, “Great is Thy Faithfulness!” This is no excuse for laziness or any sense of entitlement, but it is a cause for great gratitude and joy. That we will slip up and stumble is a given, but God is absolutely faithful, and He is omnipotent. We need to rest, relax, and rejoice in this assurance, just as He told me to do, so that by His power we may indeed fulfill the calling He has placed on us, for His glory.

This is a conviction I have grown into over the years. For too long I wandered in pride, thinking I could do things on my own. God had to call me down for that attitude, and then show me repeatedly how futile my own efforts were, and I hope I’ve really learned the lesson! There are things going on right now that aren’t as I would have planned them, but that’s in His hands, and His plans are good. I have every reason not to be anxious! I can’t control other people – I can hardly control myself – and I don’t have to answer for them, though I am to pray for them. Part of my calling, as a pastor and teacher, is to help others understand their calling, and to a degree, those of the people around them, so that we may encourage each other and not hinder. Everyone’s calling is different, even though we are all called to be God’s children. I’m not to insist that someone be like me, but I am to strive to point us all to be like Jesus.

Father, thank You for this reminder. It feels like the message for this next Sunday! Thank You for Your faithfulness that makes it all possible. Thank You for getting us through the week’s show in the City Gallery, and for all the contacts we made. May our every contact draw people to You, for their salvation and Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!