Resume of Those Called

February 5, 2023 Background Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1: 18 - 31 Lesson Passage: 1 Corinthians 1:18 - 31 Sometimes the greatest challenge for a Christian worker is getting over themselves. The environment we live in tends to condition us to acquire assets or skills that make us feel secure in the positions we are placed in to serve and work. Put another way, we feel more secure in some jobs/assignments if we happen to have college degrees in the field in which we work. We feel even better about ourselves if we also have relevant work experience in that field. Personal identification, contact information, credentials, and work experience comprise the total of what we put on a resume. We believe a resume presents us as suitable for the assignment, and it defends us against our critics. As common as this might be, it stands in complete contrast to what Paul wrote about the qualifications of Christians who serve in ministry. Note that Paul was not just writing about preachers, or proclaimers, of the gospel message, but rather, Christian workers in general. Paul's argument is based on examining those called by God to do the work of ministry. Paul's summary is that not many of the people called by God are worldly wise, are in positions of worldly influence, or have royal positions or titles. Paul did not write that none of them were called; he only mentioned that there were "not many" called with those credentials. Then Paul explained the rationale for why God does it. The Spirit of Christ works through minist1'Y to bless us in this world. We should not be confused about where our help comes from. We observe and hear people and we don't always consider that people are instruments of God. If the people we observe and hear readily take credit for the outcome, we are not likely to associate the work of ministry with God—other than that God happened to have selected the right person to get the job done! That is human pride, and it dares to exalt itself against both the knowledge and acknowledgment of God's work in our lives. If we fail to examine ourselves, not only will others be misled, but we might start to believe our own press. God's solution to both is to use people who are woefully unqualified to do what God assigns to us. Therefore, we are effective in ministry when we totally depend on God to work through us and we rejoice when we declare, "God did it!" We try hard to keep others from fraudulently ascribing to us the results that only God can deliver. Much of ministry can be summarized as relentlessly pointing others to Christ over and over again. And this is not just for the answers they need, but also for them to praise Him for the blessings they receive. Only God would take a prophet who appears to be homeless and send him to the palace to rebuke the king. God is the giver and sustainer of life. "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights." Every good thing in this life has its origin in God. God alone deserves all the praise and glory. We are His servants who have been saved by His grace. We have not been called because we have something to offer God. God has chosen to use us despite ourselves. It is our responsibility to help others to see what God has shown us. There is nothing on our resume that can save us from eternal damnation. What we have on our worldly resume might help us to relate better to others, but God does not need it to accomplish His will through us, We have nothing to boast about, and we can help others by informing them that all praise should go to God in all things. Robert C. Hudson January 23, 2023