Ephesians 4:1
“I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called.”
Paul tells us that God has called us, and he implores us to respond to God’s call. The question of “calling” is arguably the most important question a person can ask and answer. The equivalent question is: What is the central purpose of my life? As Os Guinness says, “We long to know that we are fulfilling the purpose for which we are here on earth. All other standards of success—wealth, power, position, popularity—ring hollow if we do not find and fulfill our purpose.”
Jesus made this declaration and invitation in the gospels. “If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for my sake, he will save it.” (Luke 9.23-24)
God created you not just to live and work, but to live and work for a purpose. More specifically, the Lord created you to live and work for him. That is the message of the book of Ephesians. The world tries to stimulate us with things and experiences, but the world cannot fulfill; it cannot provide true purpose. Purpose and fulfillment are found in relationship to the God who designed you and calls you himself.
Responding to the call of Christ is central to the Christian faith. Jesus does not summon you to follow him in a few, selective areas; rather, Jesus calls you to follow him in every dimension and facet of life. The call of Jesus is unequivocal, direct, and absolute: Follow me. The call of Jesus permits no compromise, no hesitation, no ambivalence. Everything you do should be guided and directed by the love and lordship of Christ.
“Whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him … work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” (Colossians 3.17, 23-24)
The truth is this: Your identity and purpose is found in the God who created you, saved you, and calls you to excellence. Seeking identity and purpose anywhere else is doomed to failure. You belong to God. Sin separated you from God, but in Christ you are returned to him. The life for which he created you is found as you respond daily to the call of Jesus.
The Lord calls you into deep, intimate relationship with him; and he calls you to a way of living and working that reflects the reality of his presence in every dimension of your life.
Trust God and do the work for which he created you.
