Calling Requirement

"Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God..." - Romans 1:1 (NKJV)

This first sentence in the book of Romans has showed me one truth about God's calling. There are many aspects about God's calling in one's life which we can learn throughout His Word, but the opening greeting from Paul, the Apostle of God, contained a deep understanding about the requirement to fulfill God's calling.

Paul declared himself as a bondservant of Jesus Christ before he stated his calling as an apostle. Many of us, when we think of calling, we easily think of a title, such as pastor, deacon, missionary, teacher, evangelist, worship leader, etc. Thus, when we think of the preparation to fulfill one's calling, we easily caught up in doing things which will lead us to such title. For example: if you think that you're called to be pastor, you may considering going to bible college, etc. Not that I'm against such preparation. It's certainly necessary for someone who is serious to fulfill his or her calling for considering and taking necessary actions. But still, the Word of God shows something which is far more important--first priority--before any other important things take place.

To fulfill our calling from God--whatever it is, the first requirement is to be a bondservant. Bondservant is noun, a state, a being, not a doing. The definition of bondservant is:

"a slave, bondman, man of servile condition, one who gives himself up to another's will,
devoted to another to the disregard of one's own interests, a servant, attendant."

Interestingly, the Greek word of bondservant, Doulos, comes from the origin word called deo, which means:

"to bind tie, fasten;
to bind, fasten with chains;
to be bound to one, a wife, a husband."

In order to be a bondservant, we have to be willing to bind to God, the Author of Our calling. When we're bind to Him, we're fastened to His interest, abandoning our own interest. Bind with chains, means we are confined to His boundaries. To be bound as it is with a marriage partner. We no longer act out of our own will, but whatever we do, we do out of our state as one with Him. For whatever we do, and whoever we are, we bore His name. We bring His identity within us.

This is not something which we stressed when we're pondering calling requirement. But it is what God wants when He calls His children. Often we hear the popular saying regarding ministry: it's not your ability, but your availability which matters. But being a bondservant means deeper than just simply being available. Being available is a state of freedom, so when the necessary action is needed, then we're free to do it. But being a bondservant is much more demanding. We are not free. The necessary action is part of our daily action as a bondservant. We are chained to do it.

This may sound scary if we don't know the characters of Our Master. Thank God we have a Master who has been a Bondservant to all for God's will to be fulfilled. Our Master Himself has set an example of what does it mean to be true bondservant of God, as His prayer:

"Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours be done." --Luke 22:42 (NKJV)

The difficult part is not doing the actions of a bondservant. The most difficult part is having a heart of a bondservant, the essence of being a bondservant. It's one thing to do the work of ministry. It's another thing to have a surrender heart to live for Christ. A true bondservant doesn't care about anything but to obey his or her Master and please the Master.

To be able to be such bondservant, we have to allow the grace of God to work within our hearts. Surrender to His will constantly, is the process of being bind to Him. Then, when our hearts is at the right position with Him, any work of ministry we are called to do, can flow out freely for His glory.

As God showed me this truth, I have to admit it is more than once that I shed my tears. Not that I don't understand with my mind, but I was lack of comprehension in my heart. For to understand with mind need only to 'sacrifice' time and thoughts, but to understand with heart, one's life sacrifice is the price. My Beloved Master, Lord Jesus Christ, had paid the price. How about us?

Father God, please forgive us, for lack of understanding when we come to serve You. Please remind us that whatever we are called to do, You want a bondservant at service. Willingly surrender our heart's desire, laying down our lives, for the sake to be bound with You, so that we may serve You ultimately. Please forgive us when we come to serve You, we come with our own terms, fulfilling our own desires, and using our own ways of thinking. Holy Spirit, lead us, so that we may yield to God, freely, fully, and thoroughly. In the name of Lord Jesus Christ, our True example of a Bondservant, we pray. Amen.