Day 16

As we regard the life and ministry of both Moses and Paul, we readily come to the conclusion that they were called by, and set apart by God, for the purpose of instructing His people in the ways of righteousness and salvation. We often refer to both as heroes of the faith. Specifically, Moses for the Old Testament, and Paul for the New Testament. Both had experiences of God calling them by name – Moses, at the burning bush, when God called out to him “Moses, Moses,” and Paul (before his name changed) on the Road to Damascus, as God similarly called to him “Saul, Saul.” Although not ascribed in the Bible as anything remotely resembling a miracle – look at the impact of God calling each by name: the World changed, as each man accepted and embraced the relationship offered to them by God. So much change that Paul characterizes the rest of his life in light of this:
“More than that, I also consider everything to be a loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. Because of Him I have suffered the loss of all things and consider them filth, so that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own from the law, but one that is through faith in Christ—the righteousness from God based on faith. My goal is to know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, assuming that I will somehow reach the resurrection from among the dead.” (Phil. 4:8-11)
Nothing else in his life mattered next to the cross, and his opportunity to become fully “baptized” into Christ:
“Therefore we were buried with Him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too may walk in a new way of life. For if we have been joined with Him in the likeness of His death, we will certainly also be in the likeness of His resurrection.” (Rom 6:4-5)
So what does this mean to me? Of course, I respect and endeavor to learn from the writings of both Moses, and Paul; men anointed by God to deliver to me the instructions for my life. But do I consider myself set apart? Do I live my life as though I too am called by God – that He knows me – such that I strive so fully to know Him, as I am known by Him?
“For now we see indistinctly, as in a mirror, but then face to face.
Now I know in part, but then I will know fully, as I am fully known.” (1Cor. 13:12)
Do I doubt that God knows me by name? No. Have I had a burning bush experience, or have I ever been struck blind on “my” Road to Damascus? Certainly, I have seen the Hand of God move in my life. I do not presume such a spiritual attunement to God to state declaratively that He has not called out to me “audibly” by name. But did I disregard it, or fail to hear it because I had my own voice stuck in my ear? We know that we are “called by God”:
God is faithful; you were called by Him into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. (1 Cor 1:9)
And we know that He knows our name:
“He calls His own sheep by name and leads them out.” (John 10:3b)
“But now, thus says the LORD, who created you, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine.” (Isaiah 43:1-2)
So, have I not been set apart just as Moses or Paul? Is my calling any less than theirs – or is it just that my response is less than theirs:
“For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.” (1 Cor. 2:2)
We are set apart by God, and known, (if not specifically called) by name. Let our response be nothing less worthy than the “worth” of our calling.
“Therefore I, the prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk worthy of the calling you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, accepting one another in love, diligently keeping the unity of the Spirit with the peace that binds us.” (Ephesians 4:1-3)