Let's think about that call for a minute. Everyone gets the call. Everyone - no one is left out. Jesus died for all of us (John 3:16). Our Heavenly Father does not want anyone to perish, "but that ALL should reach repentance" (2 Peter 3:9). The thing is not everyone answers the call.
It reminds me of the outbound calls we make at work. Our phones are connected to a computerized system to keep track of our calls. When we call out, we note in the system 'made contact' or 'no contact.' That is pretty basic -- it's self explanatory right?
If no one answers the phone we don't make contact. Someone has to pick up on the other end. Leaving a voice mail doesn't count. What counts --the only thing that counts - is actually getting through to the person we call.
God is no respecter of persons. He loves every one He has ever created and He is not willing that anyone should perish. Christ is the One who sent the apostles out into the world to preach the gospel to all.
We are called, but not all of us answer. If we do not 'pick up the phone,' we will never choose to repent. Just like at work, if my customer doesn't pick up the phone - unless I there is communication and response there is no contact.
OK -- I'm sure most of us know these things. This is not new for most of us. We find all this in the scriptures, if we only care to look -- to study. God calls us through His Word - through the Bible.
We have to know what God wants us to do. The only way for this to happen is to listen to the call. If we don't hear what He has to say how can we possibly respond?
The call is there -- we simply have to pick up the Bible - listen to the gospel. Choosing to study and read the Word is the only way we make contact with God and His Son. Through the scriptures we learn Who our creator is. We discover Christ our Savior and His sacrifice for our sins.
Yet, there is more to answering the Savior's call than learning about Him. We must be willing to obey His words. We have to follow His commands. In Matthew 22:36-37 Jesus tells us the greatest commandment is to love God with all our hearts, souls, strength and mind.
Reading through the gospels, we find Christ is God's Son. In Mark 9:7, God tells James, John and Peter - "This is my beloved Son, listen to Him." Then Jesus says "If you love me, keep my commandments." (John 14:15).
I know that is a lot of scripture all at once - but stick with me here. There really is a logical sequence.
- The greatest commandment is loving God. Loving God should prompt our obedience to Him.
- He tells us to listen to His Son, Jesus Christ our Savior.
- Jesus loved and gave Himself for us.
- Before He died, Christ said loving Him means keeping His commandments.
Making contact involves two steps. The first step is the call -- the reaching out. The second step is the response -- the answer to the call -- taking the action the call requires.
God calls us everyday and in many ways. Will we answer? Will we allow Him to make contact?
Christ above all things,
Robin
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