Will I suffer if I don’t answer God’s calling? If there’s anything I’ve always feared most in life, it is this: not being able to fulfil my purpose for being on earth. I can’t imagine coming to earth, going to school, graduating, getting a job, getting married, having children, watch them grow and be responsible, now begin to reap of the seeds sown in them, dying at last and being given a befitting burial, only to return to my maker empty handed- with no returns on the investments; in form of resources, he had deposited in me. Nothing to present to him as the dividends of all he has deposited in me. There’s nothing so pathetic and disappointing as such prodigious shipwreck becoming one’s experience when it’s all being said and done.
However, apart from the afterlife surety, there seems to be an improbable disparity, on the possibility of experiencing a difficulty in the journey of life if one decides not to answer God’s call on his or her life. Furthermore, making references to most renowned circular fellows on earth today, who a chunk of crowd eulogize and easily get fascinated about. One can easily say that they are living and experiencing a soft, easy, and comfortable life. Despite not pledging allegiance to God. On the other hand, a story captured in the pages of scripture narrates how that a young man, by name, Jonah, in an attempt to run away from the Lord, so as not to carry out the assignment God had given to him. He ended up securing an apartment for himself, in the belly of a fish (Jonah 1: 1-17).
(Will I suffer if I don’t answer Gods call on my life?) What shall we then say? Is God partial? Harsh? Difficult? Unaccommodating? Well, I don’t think so! In fact, scriptures in Psalms 145:8 records, “the Lord is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy.” There is no limit to the scope of his mercy toward his people. How then do we explain the fact that those still operating under the cosmos, seem to be immune from the difficulties of life?. Despite their loyalty and adherence to the world’s system, they still have the treasures of life at their beck and call. It is no secret that the call they answered was not made by God. Though their giftings are from God, Romans 11:29 “for the gifts and calling of God are without repentance, ” but, their output is not of God. Don’t ask, how? It is already evident in their appearance, speech and proceeds. Obviously, the call they answered was not God’s call and, precisely, they refused to answer God’s call, so to speak. But, in the case of the man who is known to be a believer, one inch away from the track has already opened the gate-way foe diverse kinds of assault from the other contending kingdom, thereby threatening his safety. (Will I suffer if I don’t answer God’s calling?)
Lest I forget, there’s a key scripture I’ll like to bring to your remembrance: James 4:17(RSV), “Whoever knows what is right to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.” I believe strongly that the implication of sin is no longer a new concept to you. Sin avails the enemy the platform to strike in your life. When we deviate from God’s work, when we fail to execute the purposes of God for our lives, we’re making ourselves vulnerable for affliction from the Enemy. We can experience Lack, Death, sufferings, Sicknesses from the Enemy because we are not where we ought to be.
Worthy to note is this fact, there are two categories of children- the legitimate and illegitimate or, rather say, the sons and the bastards. It is on this premise that the scripture in Hebrews 12:8, ” If God doesn’t discipline you as he does all of his children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really his children after all,” is built upon. Secondly, the place of allegiance is not for the faint-hearted. Neither God, nor the devil takes this for granted. Scriptures in the book of Romans 6:16 says, “Don’t you realize that whatever you choose to obey becomes your master?…” Allegiance is likened to fraternities, “If you are in, you must abide by the rules.” However, it is also important to distinguish the Lord- His plans, dealings, and operations from that of Satan- the devil. What the Lord does is to chastise those He call sons on account of their misdeeds. Which when He does, He does it for love’s sake, wrapped up in His mercy toward his sons. (Will I suffer if I don’t answer God’s calling?)
But, never for once was it recorded that the devil chastises. Rather, His agenda is always to steal, to kill, and to destroy (John 10:10a). He doesn’t operate outside these standards. Nevertheless, what the believer may tag as ‘difficulty’ could be the chastise of the Lord. You can not attract God’s chastisement if you are not tilted towards the wrong path, like Jonah, in the first scripture we saw. It is on this premise that the Lord must chastise you if he must call you to order. No chastisement is sweet but, if we must fulfil our God-given purpose on earth, it is expedient that the Lord, from time-to-time, calls us to order because we are in the world though, not of the world, and our adversary- the devil, is still moving to and fro like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8). (Will I suffer if I don’t answer God’s calling?)
Lastly, I still believe strongly that, there is nothing worth giving up the call of God upon your life for, not even the difficulty. These words may be a rough pill forced down your throat but, only those whom the Lord has convicted of His sovereignty, love, and faithfulness can embrace this truth. Romans 8:18 says,” Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will give us later.” Truth is, there are difficulties everywhere, either in, or outside God. In God, your difficulties are worth it because the dividends that’ll come out of it, is nothing compared to the difficulty experienced at the beginning. But, outside God, your difficulties are nothing compared to the damnation that awaits all who do not follow him. It is wisdom to choose the right difficulty. (Will I suffer if I don’t answer God’s calling?)
Sidenote: Believers Update has been saddled with the responsibility to bring the accurate God’s word to your screen thereby affording you the opportunity to learn God and His kingdom more accurately. You can always reach out to us for mentorship, Prayers and Counseling.
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Love,
Believers update.