Call of God Series Part 05: How to Respond to God's Call Practically

Now that you know God has called you, where do you go from here? How do you respond to His call in a practical way?

We began to address these questions in Part 04 of this series. Using Romans 12:1-2 as our guide, we learned that our motivation to respond to God was because of His great mercies. Our bodies are to be presented to God and used as a ‘living sacrifice.’ In addition, our minds are surrendered to God for renewal, which will keep us from thinking, acting, and speaking like the world. More on this in a moment.

Here are some other points to make you effective in responding to God’s call:

1. Forget the world: We need to learn how to turn our backs on the world. This phrase ‘the world’ can be misunderstood. We are not talking about planet earth, with the beautiful trees, plants, waterways, terrain, and skies. Instead, it has to do with the cosmos, the worldly government order or system, under the immediate command of fallen humanity but ultimately under satanic influence. The Bible teaches that the whole world lies under wickedness (I John 5:19) and the wicked one; Satan is ‘prince’ of this world (John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11) and ‘god’ of this world (II Corinthians 4:4). Scripture condemns friendship with the world, which is rightly considered enmity towards God (James 4:4). For those who crave to be ‘relevant’ with the world, be very careful: you cannot please God and the world, anymore than you can serve God and mammon (Matthew 6:24; Luke 16:13). Therefore, in responding to God’s call to become a living sacrifice, Paul gives us a straightforward command: Do not conform to the world. If we insist in thinking, acting, speaking and supporting the world’s agenda, we are of no use to God. It is like salt losing its saltiness, only good for nothing, but to be cast out and trodden underfoot of men (Matthew 5:13). If we repudiate these things, we become useable and fruitful.

2. Renew the mind: Responding to the call of God promises transformation - we will be like new people. Such transformation comes by the renewal of our minds. We will be like the thoughts we think or as scripture teaches, as a man thinks in his heart, so is he (Proverbs 23:7). Renewal of the mind is like a detox and reprogramming of our thoughts. This takes time and discipline. Four ways to renew the mind include: 1) The Word of God - memorise in your mind, retain in your heart, confess with your mouth; 2) The cross of Christ. Embracing the cross, as Paul did (Galatians 6:14), means you will relinquish bad thoughts and they will be replaced with good. 3) The Holy Spirit will help you think new thoughts; let Him lead you in this area; 4) Christian fellowship - you will be like the company you keep (Proverbs 13:20), so make sure you are with people who ‘fear the Lord,’ have the right priorities, and will be a positive influence on you (and vice-versa)

3. Understand God’s Will: If you will follow through with all the above mentioned steps, the greatest benefit is divine direction. A world-denying, renewed mind will be in an optimal position to discern God’s good, acceptable, and perfect will. Furthermore, you will be able to seek God and exercise your faith to obtain the provision necessary to fulfil His will. Then ‘write the vision,’ make it plain, so whoever reads it will run with it (Habakkuk 2:2-3). Once you know God’s will, write it down, put the appropriate Scripture promises with it, and confess these passages to the Lord. You will be amazed when God’s will comes to pass before your eyes. But no wonder, you laid the groundwork with proper consecration, totally on God’s terms.

Follow these steps and you are on your way. However, we want to offer at least one more article. Stayed tuned for next month’s edition of the Issachar Teaching eLetter.

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