Are You Aware of Your Calling?

Are You Aware of Your Calling?

“Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unrighteous, and not before the saints? Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world will be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Do you not know that we shall judge angels? How much more, things that pertain to this life?” 1 Cor. 6:1-3.

Our calling is not an insignificant thing. We will judge the world and the angels. This is such a great calling that only a few people believe it. Faith in this fact would surely cause a tremendous upheaval in people’s lives.

The wisdom that is needed for being along in judging the world is gained in this present life through the many temptations, trials, and situations that meet us. That is when we either gain or lose our suitability to judge—that to which we are called.

Paul says, “Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unrighteous, and not before the saints?” God is far away from a person whenever faith is not living but exists only as knowledge. Then a person dares to do all kinds of things. His best chance of gaining support for his self-interests is with the unrighteous; so he wagers his whole calling and his eternal glory for paltry gain in this world. If his faith had been living he would not have dared to do it.

God has given Jesus the authority to execute judgment because He is the Son of Man. John 5:27. Jesus had to become the Son of Man in order to be a suitable judge. He had to learn to know man’s state and be tested as they are to become a compassionate High Priest. After He was tempted and tested in all things like they are, He gave His life for them. Therefore He is truly worthy of judging them.

Jesus says, “To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.” Rev. 3:21. This is the way for us to become worthy judges. Jesus did not seek His own. If we are to be with Him and judge, we must overcome all self-interest. We must lay down our life for our fellow man. Paul says, “Why do you not rather let yourselves be defrauded?” 1 Cor. 6:7.

If we have laid down our life for our fellow men, then we have boldness when we see them again. When we have to do with people, we need to remember that we shall see them again on the Day of Judgment. We cannot be along in judging them if we have anything outstanding against anyone or if we have committed an injustice. On the contrary, we will be left out. 1 Cor. 6:9. We can say, “Do any of you dare to requite evil with evil, be envious, backbite, lie, despise, rule over your neighbor or withhold some good from him?”

The intention is that we shall judge ourselves in this life so that we will not be judged together with the world. By constantly acknowledging God’s light that judges our selfish thoughts and works, we will receive wisdom when dealing with our fellow men, and we can be along in judging the world. Therefore we read: “And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.” 1 John 3:3.

We are to be content with food and clothing. “For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.” 1 Tim. 6:6-9. It is the souls of men that are valuable. One soul is worth more than the entire world. We cannot take anything of this world with us, but we will take those souls of men with us whom we have had a share in saving from perdition. Therefore we should know that “he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.” Jas. 5:20. Do any of us really dare to be an offense to our fellow men or argue with them about the things that belong to this world?

Jesus came into the world in order to save mankind and make them children of God. If we follow Him, He can make us fishers of men. It must be our life’s task and our intention with each person we are dealing with to win him for heaven—to make him a brother in spirit. If the grain does not fall into the ground and dies, it will remain alone. If we want to bear fruit—save souls—we must lay down our life. If we have laid down our life for our fellow men, and they still harden their hearts, we will be along on the Day of Judgment to judge them. Then they have excluded themselves from the glory of the gospel through unbelief. The god of this world has deceived them because they have loved the things that perish. When Jesus returns with flames of fire, He will return together with the saints to take vengeance on all those who do not know God and who do not obey the gospel. He will be glorified in His saints and be admired among all those who believe. We will be a testimony to God’s power and work by our obedience. When Jesus judges the world, we will be along as evidence against them. For what we have obtained through faith and obedience, they have rejected through unbelief and stubbornness. This is how Jesus will stop their mouths through us. May we walk worthy of our calling. 2 Thess. 1:6-12.