Title: The Purpose That Called Us
Contents
The purpose for which we are called
1 Corinthians 1:26-31
When many people use the term vocation or calling, they think that only pastors and missionaries receive them. It is easy to think that calling has nothing to do with ordinary believers.
So, let's look at the word vocation first. In English, it is called calling calling.
God calls all the people to be saved. Therefore, it is wrong to think that it is only for certain people. Just as Joel's prophecy of the Old Testament was fulfilled in the event of Pentecost in Acts 2:17-18, so it is known here that all people are called. And in 1 Peter 2:9, all of God's people are called royal priests. In other words, if we cannot deny this saying that all Christians live a life of being chosen, called, and called, we should all think about our calling.
Dear saints,
Compared to the past, Korea is a country with many Christians. It's a quarter of the population.
But the country has not changed at all. The reason is that only the thought of believing in Jesus and getting saved and going to heaven has changed, but in fact, other lives have not changed at all.
The biggest problem that has arisen in this situation is that we Christians live a life of faith that is not related to our calling because we do not know what our calling is. Look at verse 26.
Behold your calling, Paul says in a strong voice. Have you ever thought about the fact that we are called by God? Some Christians feel proud of their calling because they think they are special. The Corinthian church members in today's text are just that kind of people.
They had many spiritual experiences, were armed with many gifts, and were zealous, so that they thought they were in some mystical state, who believed in the Lord of glory, and had to do things they liked about food and marriage. To the Corinthians who are in such a situation, Paul tells us to look at your calling in verse 26.
What kind of people were they?
From an objective point of view, they are not wise. By human standards, you are not that powerful and powerful.
By worldly standards, there are not many people who were born into noble families.
And after expressing very bluntly that they are not from wise men such as philosophers or mathematicians, or from noble families who influence government, military, or religion, in verses 27-28 he gives them a pin-zan in a very strong tone.
Paul's words in this tone are not intended to discredit the Corinthian church members or to point out problems. I am speaking from the heart of a shepherd, or as a brother, with the hope that I will immediately realize the calling God has given me and become a mature Christian. That's why I call them brethren at the outset. So what does this verse teach us?
The people of Israel tended to be engrossed in the consciousness of their own chosen people, and did not take on the roles of light and salt of the world, but on the contrary, they tended to ignore the Gentiles. God called the people of Israel not because they were superior to other peoples or from a powerful nation. It was to awaken their pride.
Even today, those who are called tend to be arrogant and ignore those who are not.
That is why Paul exhorts us to look at your calling in verse 26.
Of course, there were also very good people in the Corinthian church at that time, such as Crispus, Gaius, Erastus, and Stephen.
However, when we look at ourselves with an honest heart, we discover that we are lacking in many ways.
There are many people who live their lives relying solely on their own strength. So you fail and you fall.