It is indeed a great privilege to be called by God into the sheepfold of the Lord and it it also an honour if you are counted among those chosen for special ministry work of the Lord.
No one can come to God or become a follower of Christ unless that person is called by God.
This is why every Christian must value his or her salvation dearly. Our salvation is something that drives the devil crazy for he would have wished that we all perish with him in the lake of fire.
The devil will stop at nothing but throw every weapon at any staunch Christian just to make him fall.
Now it was in those days that Jesus went to a mountain to pray, and he spent the whole night in prayer to God. When daylight came, he called his disciples and chose twelve of them, whom he also called apostles: Simon (whom he named Peter), his brother Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James (the son of Alphaeus), Simon (who was called the Zealot), Judas (the son of James), and Judas Iscariot (who became a traitor).Luke12-16
To be a Christian is a call by God and to be a minister for God is based on God's choice. We have all been called to be followers of Christ but among the called some have been chosen for special purpose in the ministry work of the Lord:
And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Ephesians 4:11-12
Those who have been chosen are those in the five fold ministry who are to do the work of ministry, for edifying of the body of Christ.
We are not just to pride ourselves if we have been called as Christians or chosen as Ministers but to do everything that the Lord required of us to the benefit the body of christ(the church).
We shouldn't be so delighted in being called us Christians but in doing the will of God. To be called a Christian is good but to do noticed as the one who separates himself from all manner of sins and do what pleases God is preferable. Jesus had about 5000 followers but the number dropped to 70. it is not how we start the journey that matters but how we end it. You can be a follower of God today but can also end up as a backslider tomorrow, I pray that it may never be our portion. We must watch and pray so that we may not enter into temptation.
Ministers of God who have been chosen should pride themselves because they are the ones leading the sheep but to be steadfast and immovable in their calling. The devil can easily entice any minister of God just like he did to Jesus in order to make him go wayward. Jesus had twelve Apostles of ministers who were chosen for work of ministry and edifying of the body of Christ but Judas ended up losing his call and became a lost son.
Are you a Christian? be very careful with your call and salvation by the Lord and serve Him.
Are you a minister of God? Be more concerned about building the church of God than anything and beware your own salvation by only preaching to the congregation and not to yourself lest you will end up missing the reward that awaits you.
