Secure in Your Call by Pastor Bobby Marks
Secure in Your Call Pastor Bobby Marks
It is certainly a wonderful blessing to be a part of the church, the family of God. In Eph. 2:19, Paul writes, “Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God.” Through our acceptance of Jesus Christ as our savior and the new leader of our life, we become members of the household of God. As a family member, we now have the privilege to receive all that Jesus did for us in his death, burial, and resurrection.
We take comfort in that sense of belonging and knowing that everyone in God’s family is valuable and needed, just like a natural family where every member is important. In a natural family, we also understand that each person has different responsibilities. A father’s job is different than the mother’s and the mother’s job is different than the father’s. Neither is more important than the other, but both are needed so the home can operate smoothly.
It is the same way in God’s family. We are all called to be ministers of reconciliation and to proclaim God’s love to a lost and hurting world, but God does call some to serve in leadership positions—some to a five-fold ministry office. Sometimes we may feel so comfortable in our position as a member in the family of God that we may feel insecure in our call to a position of leadership. I can remember feeling so inadequate when I realized in my heart that the Lord wanted me to serve Him as a pastor. I considered my lack of formal training and my own sense of unworthiness. It was beyond me to see what God saw in me that He could use to further His kingdom the earth.
As I began to study God’s word, though, I saw that those whom God calls into ministry, He also equips. I realized that the Lord knew all of my strengths and weaknesses before He called me to ministry. He knew me better than I knew myself and still called and anointed me to serve Him. It is the same with all of us. When it is God’s plan for a man or woman to serve Him in any ministry capacity, we must be fully persuaded that the gifts and the grace that He has deposited in us will cause us to be secure in the calling God has placed on our lives.
I am personally convinced that God wants every minister to be so secure in the calling and anointing He has placed on their life that nothing the enemy brings against them will prevail. Now we know that Satan does come against all of us, but especially those who are in ministry. His tactics and schemes have not changed over the years. The list of things he uses includes discouragement, disappointments, a sense of failure, and hopelessness. These are things we must all stand against if we are to complete the assignments God has given to us. I want to briefly mention three pitfalls that we must avoid as ministers in order to remain secure in our call.
Pitfall # 1: Comparison
The first pitfall we must avoid is that of comparing ourselves to others. In 2 Corinthians 10:12, Paul wrote and said, “For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.” Paul is saying here that it is not good to compare yourself against others. Comparing ourselves to others can either give us an inflated opinion about what we are doing or it can leave us discouraged, thinking that we are not accomplishing anything of value. One of the best pieces of advice I ever received was from an experienced minister who told me to be myself. Avoid the comparison trap. Be secure and satisfied that what you are doing is what God has called you to do.
Pitfall # 2: Compromise
The second pitfall we must watch out for is compromise. One of the definitions of compromise is a weakening of one’s position or principles. It carries the idea of making concessions that effect one’s values or beliefs. We all would agree that we live in a world full of compromise. However, as ministers of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, there is no room for compromise in the preaching and teaching of the word of God. Paul writes in Rom 1:16 that he was “not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.” The message of Jesus and the cross, although offensive to some, is never to be compromised. Although the message does not change, the methods do. You can be relevant without compromising any of your principles. If we are not making a connection with the people we are ministering to, how truly effective are we? Thomas Jefferson said, “"In matters of style, swim with the current. In matters of principle, stand like a rock." Even though you may see others who compromise, refuse to go against the convictions of your heart. Remember, what you are willing to compromise, you will most likely lose.
Pitfall # 3: Complaining
Finally, the third pitfall we must be aware of is complaining. Have you ever been tempted to complain? Perhaps you have felt like God has been unfair or even given you an assignment that you feel like you cannot accomplish. Maybe you have even felt that what He wants you to do is not large enough. Whatever the case may be, refuse to be a complainer. I have always been inspired by stories of missionaries who worked for years before they ever saw even one convert. When you hear their stories, you realize that they believed that God was faithful, they refused to quit and didn’t complain about what they were asked by God to do. It motivates me not to grow weary in doing what is right and to not complain, because in due season, I know I will reap if I do not give up. Instead of complaining, the person who is secure in their call will do what Paul and Silas did while they were in the Philippian jail. The scripture tells us that at midnight they prayed and sang praises to God, and the prisoners heard them. (Acts 16:25) Praising God in all situations and circumstances is always much better than complaining.
In closing, I want to encourage all who are called to ministry to be secure in your call. Be fully persuaded that the gifts and calling of God are irrevocable on your life. He has and will continue to equip you to complete your course and finish the assignment He has given to you. Be steadfast, be immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that what you do for God is never in vain. (1Cor. 15:58)
Bobby and Stephanie Marks pioneered Cornerstone Bible Church in Dothan, Alabama, holding their first service on November 8, 1992. Pastor Marks holds a B.S. degree in Business Administration from the University of Alabama. He also graduated from Rhema Bible Training Center in Broken Arrow, OK with an emphasis in pastoral ministry. Bobby and Stephanie have been married for 26 years and have 3 children. You can learn more about Pastor Bobby and his church at www.cbcdothan.org.
