– January, 2021

WHY JESUS CALLS US
Copyright © 2021 by Abia Friday Abia
and Trinity Discipleship Fellowship

When companies hire their employees, they give them specific job descriptions. They explain clearly what their employees are hired to do. Employees are frequently evaluated or assessed to ensure they attain the objectives for which they are hired. Employees get promoted if they perform well, as per their job descriptions. Some get dismissed for performing below expectation, based as well on their job descriptions.

When our Lord Jesus calls His first disciples, He does what any serious employer would do today. He tells them clearly, precisely, what He is calling them to do. He wants them to be fishers of men for Him (Matt. 4:19). He is talking to them in plain, literal language, neither in figures nor symbols. What He wants them to do for Him is clearly stated that it cannot be mistaken. He repeats the same thing in what is commonly called the great commission, which is actually the greatest commission (Matt. 28:18-20), as well as during His final conversation with His disciples (Acts 1:8).

The early disciples clearly understand this calling and are most faithful and devoted to it, as we find in the book of Acts. But what about us? What about you and I? We share this same calling, wherever we live and whatever we do for a living. The questions is, are we sure we are fulfilling it? Will our Lord Jesus promote or dismiss us if He evaluates or assesses our work vis-à-vis what He calls us to do for Him? Remember that with Him our work record or score is exactly what it is, and we cannot fake or alter it whatever. He will find us either doing the work He entrusted to us or not. There are no two ways about it.

Therefore, let us willingly, individually evaluate or assess ourselves with regard to the one work that Jesus is asking us His followers to do for Him {Matt. 4:19; 28:18-20; Acts 1:8). The work has not changed because it is not expected to change. The age may change, but Jesus’ work to His followers remain the same (Matt. 4:19; 28:18-20; Acts 1:8).

If someone on a journey misses his way, what would be the right thing for Him to do? Would he persist on the wrong path? Surely not. He would definitely endeavour to get back on the right path that will bring him to his destination.

In the same way, we shall never fulfill the purpose of Jesus’ calling upon our lives unless we return to doing the exact work that He calls us to do for Him. And it is a fundamental breach of the specific terms of our calling if we are not doing the very work that our Lord and Master calls us to do. Besides, He will certainly ask us to account for how we are doing the work He has given us to do for Him. He may commend or condemn us, depending on how He evaluates or assesses us.