Read: Luke 9:1-2

If God has called you for His service, you cannot deny His calling. When Jesus called Peter, He said, “Follow me and I will make you fishers of men” (Mark 1:17), meaning that God would use Peter as an instrument to spread the gospel and bring many to Christ. But Peter went back to his old profession of fishing after Jesus’ crucifixion. He was discouraged. It was only after Jesus appeared to him and asked him specifically to “Feed my sheep” (John 21:17), Peter realised his true calling. 2 Thess. 1:11 says, “Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power.”

Sometimes when believers are called for God’s service, they hesitate to take that important step. 2 Peter 1:10-11 says, “Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.”

If God has called you, He chose you even before you were formed. When God called Jeremiah, He said “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I sanctified you; and I ordained you a prophet to the nations” (Jer. 1:5). Anyone who desires to follow Jesus, must be willing to deny himself, take up the cross and follow Jesus (Luke 9:23). Jesus said, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:62). If God has called you, there must be no turning back.