God's call

Abraham was called by God to leave his country and go to where the Lord would direct him. When the Lord promised him an heir, although he was already between 75 and 85 years old, he believed him. Because he believed, God declared him righteous (Gen 15:6). He became God's friend (James 2:23).

Samson and John the Baptist are typical of people called by God before they were born (Judges 13:3-5 & Luke 1:13-17). Each of them was chosen for a specific assignment. Samson achieved some success in saving Israel from the oppressing Philistines despite the fact he did not cooperate with God. John the Baptist succeeded completely in achieving his mission of introducing the Messiah. For every believer God has "prepared good works" as he did for both of them (Ephesians 2:10).

Samson's mother knew that her son was called to begin delivering Israel from the Philistines (Judges 13:5) and must have told him so. He was specially gifted by God with supernatural strength for this task. But all his life he acted like a spoilt brat. He "obeyed" his his human desires, especially in the area of sex (Judges 14:1; 16:1; 16:4). In the end it cost him his freedom and his sight.

In the case of Samuel, his mother volunteered the service of her child and God seemed to have gladly accepted it (1 Samuel 1:10-11). Samuel was God's man at a time when Israel was on the brink of complete heathendom. By his example and words he helped to stop the rot and negotiated their transition into a kingdom. Like John the Baptist, he was dedicated to God and did not follow his own agenda (1 Samuel 17:15).

Jeremiah was also called by God before he was born. He was instructed not to marry. He obeyed and he and his friend Baruch stayed true to God when all others disregarded the Lord's counsel.

Esther was at the right place at the right time to be instrumental in saving Israel from genocide when they were living in exile in Persia. She accepted the challenge although she risked her life in doing so.

God called Gideon while he was hiding (Judges 6:11-12), Amos while he was farming (Amos 7:14) and Saul (Paul) while he was persecuting Christians (Acts 9:1-6). Saul also got his commission at the time of his conversion (Acts 9:15-16).

Jesus left his disciples (the church) with one commission, commonly known as the great commission (Matthew 29:19-20). It contains several categories:
1. Go
2. Make disciples
3. of all nations
4. Baptise them
5. Teach them
6. to obey
7. all that I commanded you.
Every Christian must expect to receive a spiritual gift or gifts from God. Such gifts define the "good works" God prepared for us to walk in. They will be useful in at least one of the categories of the great commission.