Jesus does not call strangers but those he knows. God knows us from our beginning to our end because he formed us and we cannot deny this fact. God says in Isaiah 45:3-4, I call you by your name. God said in Jeremiah 1:5 that before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations. In John 1:48 Nathanael asked Jesus how he knew him. Jesus answered him, before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you. In other translations it says I knew you.
Jesus therefore knows us as individuals and relates to us as such. Before we were formed in the womb, Jesus knew us and thus knowledgeable about not only our names but everything about us. When he calls us by our names, he does so in his name. Jeremiah 15:16 says for I am called by thy name, O Lord, God of hosts. God calls us by his name unto repentance and He is calling us now through Christ Jesus.
Why does Jesus call us?
Romans 1: 6-7 say we are called to belong to Jesus Christ and as saints. 1 Peter 1: 15 also says but he who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in all your conduct. God calls us when he does not want us to perish. Luke 19: 10 says for the Son of man came to seek and to save the lost. 1 Timothy 6:12 says fight the good fight of the faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. Galatians 5:13 says for you were called to freedom. Jesus therefore calls us unto repentance, righteousness and holiness from sin and unworthiness.
Jesus calls us to have us renew our lost worthy relationship with him. 1 Corinthians 1: 9 says God is faithful, by whom you were called into fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Paul speaking from Ephesians 4:1 says I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called. Jesus calls to prepare us to receive answers to our needs. 2 Chronicles 7:14 says if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
Jesus calls us in order that God may honour and elevate us. 1 Peter 2:9 says but you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, that you may declare the wonderful deeds of him who has called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 1 Peter 3:9 says further that do not return evil or reviling for reviling; but on the contrary bless, for to this you have been called, that you may obtain a blessing. Jesus calls us to do his work in obedience and in humility.
Jesus said to the disciples in Matthew 4: 19; Mark 1:17 follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. Jesus further said in Mark 16: 15 go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation. Jesus therefore calls us to satisfy his purpose of our creation. Do we hear the voice of Jesus Christ?
When does Jesus call?
Jesus calls us each and every moment. Revelation 3: 20 says behold, I stand at the door and knock, if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. If we belong to God, we will hear the voice of Jesus calling. John 10: 27 says my sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. Jesus said in John 18: 37 every one who is of the truth hears my voice. When we substitute the voice of God for the voice of men, we stand the risk of death.
In Acts 12: 22-23 the people praised Herod saying his voice was a voice of god, and not of man so the angel of the Lord smote him because he did not give God the glory; and he was eaten by worms and he died. Jesus therefore calls us when we face the risk of losing our lives in eternity at any time just as Herod without any prior notice. We must be careful how we allow ourselves to be influenced by the public or the powers that be when we are dealing with God. Jesus is still calling us today and this hour, he wants to come in and to live with us so he can assume our burdens. Are we ready to hear him?
How must we respond?
Matthew 6: 33 says seek first the kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things shall be yours as well. Mark 1: 15 says the time is fulfilled and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel. This is the meaning of do not harden your heart. Repentance means living in righteousness and holiness in Christ Jesus. There is none righteous except God, Romans 3:10. Romans 3: 23 says we have all fallen sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.
1 John 1:9 says if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just, and will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. We do not lose anything confessing rather we gain everything in return. Paul says in Romans 14:17 the kingdom of God is not food and drink but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 2 Corinthians 6:14 says for what partnership have righteousness and iniquity? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? It means we must separate ourselves from darkness which is sin. 2 Corinthians 11:15 says their end will correspond to their deeds.
Ephesians 6:14 says stand therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with equipment of the gospel of peace; besides all these, taking the shield of faith, with which you can quench all flaming darts of the evil one. 1 Timothy 6:11; 2 Timothy 2:22 say but as for you, man of God, shun all this; aim at righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. Join us to answer Jesus’ call in humility and repentance. Hebrews 3: 8 says do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion. Hebrews 4:7 also says today when you hear his voice do not harden your hearts.
Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, we have heard your voice calling us and we have come to the old rugged cross seeking a new relationship with you for the purpose of your noble cause. Receive us in the penitence of our hearts. Wash us in your cleansing blood by the power of your Holy Spirit in your holy name, Amen!!
