Article By: Nathan W. Hoff
Website Original Format By: Nathan W. Hoff
Based on the Great Commission
Here AM I Send Me…
8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?” Then I said, “Here am I. Send me!”
Isaiah 6:8 (NASB Version)
Few have experienced the profound vision granted to Isaiah, as described in Isaiah chapter 6 – where the Lord speaks to Isaiah as a prophet.
Our circumstances are different than that described in Isaiah 6, however, our response to God should be the same – Our response to what some would call God’s calling and others would state as God’s will for our lives should be the same as Isaiah’s response, “Here am I. Send Me!“
For all that have accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and savior – God has provided a clear response to these questions in the Bible.
A Common Question Among Christians
A common theme among Christians seeking direction in their personal lives often involves one of these two questions:
1.“What is God’s will for me?
2. What is God calling me to do?”
Many Christians at one time or another has posed one of these two questions; in one of the two formats shown here.
Persons asking one of these questions appear to align with one of two groups:
1.Those who are seeking a divine direction to their lives.
2. Those who are seeking a “divine calling” to give meaning to their faith.
Will knowing humanity’s purpose help one to know God’s will or God’s calling? Through-out Scripture one will see a common theme for the purpose of humanity. When examining Scripture we can reason that humanity’s purpose is to worship and praise God the Father as seen in multiple biblical verses:
This is not an all-inclusive list of biblical verses which states our need to worship and praise God.
New Testament
- John 4:24
- Ephesians 5:19 – Worship through music
- Hebrews 13:15
- Revelation 4:11
Reconciliation
The Bible teaches the Ministry of Reconciliation – God desires those of us who have accepted His Son Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and Savior to be reconciled to Himself. We find in 2 Corinthians 5:18-21 these truths:
18 Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their wrongdoings against them, and [a]He has [b]committed to us the word of reconciliation.
20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 He made Him who knew no sin to be [c]sin in our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
Simple and straight to the point – God’s will or calling for our lives is evident in His desire for reconciliation with humanity. God’s will or calling for your life as a Christian is to be an ambassador for Christ.
Believers and followers of Jesus Christ are to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ to all who are lost.
It is that simple –
This is God’s will for your life and this is God’s calling for your life…
Everyone of us has the same call to service (a single task given to all believers in Jesus Christ); all Christians have been commanded by Christ to accomplish this task.
No matter what your profession is – You and I are called to be an ambassador for Christ.
We are called to be an ambassador for Christ by spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Modern Christians have become confused with what is a calling and what is a chosen Christian service or career in which we participate.
God will use us in whatever profession we are currently in…
The Bible clearly exhibits the Christian’s calling since the resurrection of Jesus Christ. A few biblical passages which identifies every believer’s calling (God’s Will for one’s life) include:
Commentary on Matthew 4:18-19; Mark 1:16-17; and Luke 5:4-10: Although Jesus is speaking to His chosen disciples in this passage it is a clear message of our assigned task by Him once we believe in Him for our salvation. We are to become fisher of men (seeking to share the Gospel with all people).
Both Matthew 28:18-20 and Mark 16:15 are references to Christ’s command to all Christians upon their salvation. All Christians are to actively become fisher of men by casting their net when they spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ to all within their local communities, and even unto all of the nations (people groups).
In short this is God’s calling to every Christian – it is God’s will for the lives of every Christian.
Being “Fisher of Men” is God saying “Your calling or My will for you is to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ.”
What Does God’s Will Look Like for Each Individual Christian?
God’s will / calling is the same for doctors, teachers, taxi drivers, grandmothers, grandfathers, young children, teens, as it is for evangelist, pastors, elders, deacons, missionaries, or the church bus drivers. God’s will / calling is the same for all believers in Christ. First, we are called to salvation – then we are ALL called to spread the gospel.
No matter what your occupation, God’s will / God’s calling for you is to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with others who have not accepted Jesus as their Savior.
We all have the same calling…however, each believer will execute that calling in a slightly different manner as God sees fit – remembering that we are all branches with different missions within the Church.
If you are a doctor, teacher, pastor, or taxi driver we are all called to be ambassadors for Christ – we are called to serve Christ right where we are…
I really think that Pastor JD Greear from NC, says it best – check out his video on God’s Call to Go…
The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not willing for any to perish, but for all to come to repentance.
2 Peter 3:9
Your Next Steps
God’s will / God’s calling for your life is simple – share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with all that you come in contact with. Choosing your occupation is secondary to God’s calling / will for your life – whichever branch of the Church that you become in society prepare yourself faithfully in:
- Prayer to God
- Bible study
- Discipleship study
- College / University
- Seminary – Missionary Training
Sharing the Gospel can be scary for some. However, the more you share the Gospel the more you will understand that people have the same exact questions that you and I had before we believed in Christ. Share with those that you speak with in loving compassion.
If you choose the path of a missionary, or church leadership then prepare for this journey as it is not for the faint of heart and requires preparation and faithful partnerships with your sending church leadership. Find a faithful Seminary or mission sending agency to help you train for this godly task.
Parting Thought
A parting thought: In seminary one of my professors required us to present each week in a written paper three Gospel sharing experiences that we had the previous week. There were times that someone would accept Jesus as their Savior and there were many times that people did not. As I reflect on these documents, I remember it is us who plants the seeds of the Gospel, but it is the Holy Spirit who convicts the lost. Do not be afraid to reach out to all you encounter – because it may be what helps this lost soul decide on Christ as their Savior instead of the world.
