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The Constraint Of The Call

Beware of stopping your ears to the call of God. Everyone who is saved is called to testify to the fact; but that is not the call to preach, it is merely an illustration in preaching. Paul is referring to the pangs produced in him by the constraint to preach the Gospel. Never apply what Paul says in this connection to souls coming in contact with God for salvation. There is nothing easier than getting saved because it is God’s sovereign work – Come unto Me and I will save you. Our Lord never lays down the conditions of discipleship as the conditions of salvation. We are condemned to salvation through the Cross of Jesus Christ. Discipleship has an option with it – “IF any man. . . ‘

Paul’s words have to do with being made a servant of Jesus Christ, and our permission is never asked as to what we will do or where we will go. God makes us broken bread and poured-out wine to please Himself. To be “separated unto the gospel” means to hear the call of God; and when a man begins to overhear that call, then begins agony that is worthy of the name. Every ambition is nipped in the bud, every desire of life quenched, every outlook completely extinguished and blotted out, saving one thing only – “separated unto the gospel.” Woe be to the soul who tries to put his foot in any other direction when once that call has come to him. This College exists for you, and you – to see whether God has a man or woman here who cares about proclaiming His Gospel; to see whether God grips you. And be ware of competitors when God does grip you.

 

Oswald Chambers    My Utmost for His Higest

Commentary:

I missed yesterday’s writing, and just returned to it. As soon as I saw the title, I remembered this one, for it struck deeply. Ever since feeling ‘the call’ just over a year ago, I have learned many things. I have sought and received counsel from many peers and elders, and those that have felt the call. There is something that is hard to describe about it, unless you have experienced it. I have even been told that I didn’t get it, and that wasn’t ‘the call.’ Therefore I questioned it for a long while. But through consistent seeking of only God’s Will for my life, it has been confirmed from within.

My pastor’s advise has rang as the most solid. He simply said the best conformation it to just try and do anything else. In other words try to deny it, or even pursue it by what I felt was goods motives. God has the power to allow or deny your paths in life. He has the power to control what you futilely think you have in your grasp all along. What you may have placed in high regards, will no longer seem to matter. The intricate details of those pursuits that were before readily available, now seemingly disappear entirely.

The only thing that consumes you is to spread the Good News, and the glory of God. It is a fire that burns from deep within, and is all consuming. It is a fire that is the only place that you feel joy. It is how God molds you into what He wants you to be. “Broken bread and poured out wine.” Use me Lord…..use me.