Four General Life Callings of the Christian

            There are four general life callings that all believers can fulfill.  These general life callings are callings that have been placed upon every Christian who lives on the earth.  Therefore, when we fulfill them, the Lord will have found us faithful in the basic callings and can then give us the true life calling that He has for us.

The first of these general life callings is to pray for all those in authority.  This is very important; not only for the political status of those above you, but also for their spiritual well-being.  Those in authority are constantly plagued by dangers that will cause them to fail if they are confronted the wrong way.  Thus, it is very important that we learn to pray for those in authority over us.

Secondly, we must learn to do good unto all men.  Galatians 6:10 says:

            As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

            As we learn to do good unto all men, we will learn what a good work is.  A good work is literally a selfless service performed under the direction of a God-ordained authority. (Effective Counseling, Part 10, Page 20)  When a person learns to do good to all of those he comes in contact with, he will also learn what that good work is that the Lord is calling him to.

            A third general life calling that the Lord has called us to is to assist needy widows and fatherless children.  The beginning of Zechariah 7:10 states “And oppress not the widow, nor the fatherless, the stranger, nor the poor…”  Each one of these special groups of people is more susceptible and vulnerable to those who would take advantage of them.  That is why it is so important that we as Christians follow up on the life calling we have to minister to these people.  When we do, we will be showing the love of Christ to them, and will be glorifying God; which should be our life purpose!

            The last general life calling that God has placed on our life is to make disciples of all nations.  Matthew 28:19-20 says,

            Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

            As we teach others to “observe all things whatsoever [Jesus] has commanded” us to do, we will be helping them mature in faith and be able to witness and bring others to the saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.  In doing so, we will be following through with the basic commandment that Jesus has given to all who desire to work for Him, and the Holy Spirit will be able to confirm the specific life calling that He has for our lives.