For necessity is laid upon me: yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!
We are apt to forget the mystical, supernatural touch of God. If you can tell where you got the call of God and all about it, I question whether you have ever had a call. The call of God does not come like that, it is much more supernatural. The realization of it in a man’s life may come with a sudden thunder-clap or with a gradual dawning, but in whatever way it comes, it comes with the undercurrent of the supernatural, something that cannot be put into words, it is always accompanied with a glow. At any moment there may break the sudden consciousness of this incalculable, supernatural, surprising call that has taken hold of your life – “I have chosen you.” The call of God has nothing to do with salvation and sanctification. It is not because you are sanctified that you are therefore called to preach the gospel; the call to preach the gospel is infinitely different. Paul describes it as a necessity laid upon him.
If you have been obliterating the great super natural call of God in your life, take a review of your circumstances and see where God has not been first, but your ideas of service, or your temperamental abilities. Paul said – “Woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!” He had realized the call of God, and there was no competitor for his strength.
If a man or woman is called of God, it does not matter how untoward circumstances are, every force that has been at work will tell for God’s purpose in the end. If you agree with God’s purpose He will bring not only your conscious life, but all the deeper regions of your life which you cannot get at, into harmony.
1 Corinthians 9:16 (NIV) For when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, since I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! 17 If I preach voluntarily, I have a reward; if not voluntarily, I am simply discharging the trust committed to me. 18 What then is my reward? Just this: that in preaching the gospel I may offer it free of charge, and so not make full use of my rights as a preacher of the gospel.
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September 29, 2011
Journal Entry for Today-JDV
Lord, last night in men’s’ small group study we talked about using words to communicate the gospel and not using words. I seem to favor the prayer attributed to St. Francis …” let me spread the gospel and use words only if necessary.” It seems to me that we might have more converts if we did less preaching and more living the gospel.
And God says…”A changed life is the most dramatic message anyone can deliver. However, there are many that respond to the words of the gospel, combined with the work of the Holy Spirit. And everyone has their own congregation or sphere of influence. Some are called to preach, others to serve in other ways. One is called to preach the gospel, using words, others called to live the gospel as their “preaching”; every part of the body working in harmony as directed by the Holy Spirit. Stay connected to Me, listen closely for the call of the Holy Spirit and let the Spirit of God direct you. Whether you use words or not, let your life communicate the life changing power of the gospel.”
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