Has Jesus given you a divine mission from God?
Most of us have heard someone say, “I am on a mission from God!” It might be an action-packed movie or some crazy claim someone makes. But if you think about it, has Jesus has given you a divine mission from God? If so, what would be your answer?
Seven proofs we have received a divine mission from God
Many Christians have had experiences where they have met or heard presentations by missionaries. Often, they will tell the story of how God called them to become a missionary and where He called them to serve. In some cases, many Christians have taken short term mission trips to places where these missionaries are serving to help them. Or it may a situation where others make a commitment to support missionaries financially. In any case, how do we know what it is that God wants us to do when it comes to any involvement in mission work?
We will have a definite divine calling
Many of us that have served as missionaries, came to the realization that God was definitely calling us to serve in a divine mission. There was a moment in our hearts and in certain situations that we realized that God needs us to get involved in a missionary type of activity. We see this in the story of the Apostle Paul, previously known as Saul, who was known to be a devout Jew that was heavily involved in threatening and slaughtering Jews that became Christians until he had what many call a Damascus Road experience (Acts 9:1-22).
Paul had gone to the High Priest to get letters authorizing him take into custody any Jews that had become Christians so he could bring them back to Jerusalem. On his way there, he had a miraculous encounter along the road to Damascus with the Lord, Who confronted and blinded him. Paul experienced fear and trembling, then asked the Lord what He wanted Paul to do. The Lord told him to go to Damascus to meet a disciple named Ananias, whom the Lord also approached in a vision to receive Paul and restore his sight.
After Paul arrived in Damascus, Ananias did as the Lord had told him. Not long after, Paul turned his passion of persecuting Christians into the fulfillment of a definite divine calling to carry out missionary journeys to preach salvation in Christ and start churches.
Paul spoke of his calling in Acts 26:1-11 when he was later sharing his story with King Agrippa about the turmoil he was causing with his preaching. Paul shared with Agrippa his Damascus Road experience as follows:
Acts 26:12-14. “Whereupon as I went to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests, 13 At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me. 14 And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.”
As believers our definite calling can come in many forms that may be not as eventful. However, they impact us in ways that definitely change our lives. It is not uncommon to remember the moment we were called to a divine mission. At that moment we realized in our hearts, that God was calling us to do something that we are convicted that we should do. It could be our experience with other missionaries, a desire to help others, or even a realization that there is a need that we are qualified to fill.
We will definitely respond and confirm the Lord’s leadership
When we receive our divine calling, we also have a desire to respond to the Lord’s leadership. If we look back at Paul’s experience, the moment he heard the calling, He realized who it was that was calling him. We know this because of what he said as follows:
Acts 26:15. “And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest.”
Notice that Paul had been asked why he was persecuting the Lord and told it was hard for Paul to “kick against the pricks” in verse 14, meaning he was making things difficult by his rebellion. Paul then verified it was the Lord talking to Him and asked the question saying, “Who art thou Lord?” This tells us that Paul realized he was talking to the Lord (Upper case L). Yet, he wanted to verify it was really Him. Jesus then confirmed to Paul that it was He that was the one that started this conversation.
As believers, when we receive a real divine calling, we too want to confirm it is the Lord that is calling us. At the same time, we may become convicted in thinking that we might not be worthy of His calling. We might be reminded that perhaps we have not been cooperative or loving enough of the Lord or qualified to do what He has called us to do. This self-examination and seeking of God’s will is a good sign that God has inspired us to examine ourselves and confirm His calling. So, we make the effort to consciously identify any shortcoming we may have to do what God is calling us to do.
We will understand what the Lord has called us to do
With the realization that it is God that is divinely calling us, along with our immediate self-examination, we will begin to understand what the Lord has called us to do. In Paul’s experience, the Lord revealed what He was calling Paul to do; the purpose, and details of the calling as follows:
Acts 26:16. “But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee;…”
As believers, we will begin to see that God has a specific calling for us, a reason for the calling, and what specific role He is calling us to do. It might be that we have a gift for teaching, or for managing things, or even providing for the personal needs of others. In our minds, we make that connection that God wants to use us as a ministry, or service, to others. He wants to use us in ways that convict us that we are physically, emotionally, and Spiritually capable to do what He has called us to do.
We will see the Lord’s hand enabling us to accomplish the mission
When we have gained understanding of what the Lord has called us to, we begin to realize that there are many factors that will impact the success of an actual mission. We begin to see that the Lord will enable us to do it and He will have an active part in providing all that we need to assure the mission’s success. The Lord told Paul that He would “deliver” him from those who were already upset and also those that would be upset. In addition, the Lord added that those people are the same ones He will send Paul to minister to, witness to, and to share what God reveals to him as follows:
Acts 26:17. “Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee…”
As believers, like Paul, once we see the clear calling God has for us, we will begin to see how the Lord manages everything that can help and even harm our mission. We will see things that show us without a doubt that God is opening and closing doors withing His perfect will to accomplish what He wants us to do.
We will be inspired to proclaim the Lord’s gospel to all we meet
As we gain more and more confidence and calling of the Lord, we become focused on the core reason why He has called us to a divine mission. It does not matter what it is He has called us to do. At the core of it all is ministering to others so that we can form relationships with them. These relationships enable us to stand up before them and share the gospel of salvation through Jesus Christ. The Lord shared this with Paul as follows:
Acts 26:18. “To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.”
As believers, this is the heart of our mission, to inspire others to want to hear the gospel, or good news. Then we can share with them what Christ did for us when he died on the cross to lovingly pay our penalty for sin. We can demonstrate His love, when we sacrificially share our love by serving and helping them. This opens them up to want to learn more about what motivates us to love others. It is then we can plant the seeds of the gospel and help them to take their first steps in becoming a Christian and growing in the Lord as we have.
We will have a testimony of obedience to the mission
As we continue the divine mission the Lord has called us to, we can soon start sharing with others the things God has done. This gives them a better understanding of what was done, the results, and the challenges. Paul shared this with Agrippa as follows:
Acts 26:19-21. “Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision: 20 But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance. 21 For these causes the Jews caught me in the temple, and went about to kill me.”
As believers, as we do the work, we can share what we have experienced in response to the divine calling of the Lord. We can provide details of how we operate with those involved and we can share the challenges we have as well. We often see this when missionaries give their presentations about their work and the people that they encountered. They also will share the challenges so that others might be inspired to get involved to help. We then can see the dangers that are involved and pray that those stepping out in faith are protected by the Lord.
We will demonstrate a life that reflects the fruit of the Spirit
As our experiences serving the Lord accumulates, it has an impact on our life that impacts others. At this point of the conversation with Agrippa, Paul had many experiences that empowered him to live for the Lord. These experiences even empowered Paul to share the gospel with those involved and listening to the conversation as follows:
Acts 26:22-28. “Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come: 23 That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles. 24 And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad. 25 But he said, I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth the words of truth and soberness. 26 For the king knoweth of these things, before whom also I speak freely: for I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him; for this thing was not done in a corner. 27 King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest. 28 Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.”
As believers that have lived and experienced being called to a divine mission. it becomes a second nature to us. We are open and honest with everyone about what the Lord has done for us without any fear of how people might respond. We get to a point where we have nothing to hide and while many will respond in favor of trusting the Lord, others will reject Him still. In any case, we can be sure that our divine calling has given us divine inspiration, to deeply love our divine Savior and all that we come to know.
What should our next steps be?
Although we have seen the Apostle Paul’s calling to a divine mission from God, many of us will wonder if it might ever happen to us. Paul was called to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and start churches. However, Paul also tells us that the key to our calling is to share the Wisdom of God to the world. Our world is obsessed with looking for supernatural signs and worldly studies they call wisdom, which God considers to be foolishness as follows:
1 Corinthians 1:14-25. “I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius; 15 Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name. 16 And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other. 17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. 18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. 20 Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. 22 For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: 23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; 24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. 25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.”
We must seek out God’s Wisdom in our salvation: living a separate life from the world; our training and fellowship; our participation in ministry; and our sharing of the gospel to others, as follows:
1 Corinthians 1:26-31. “For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: 27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; 28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: 29 That no flesh should glory in his presence. 30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: 31 That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.“
Final thoughts
It is clear Jesus called Paul to a divine mission from God. We must ask ourselves, have we had our Damascus Road experience? Has God called us to a divine mission? What divine mission might He call us to and what do we need to do to become Spiritually mature for His calling? As mentioned above, we must do the following when it comes to Spiritual growth:
- Seek out God’s Wisdom in our salvation
- Strive to live a separate life from the world
- Get involved in a local church where we can be trained and have fellowship with like minded believers
- Willingly seek to participate in ministry and service to those that have needs
- Share the gospel of salvation to others in our communities
When we seek the Lord’s will in all these things, at some point He will provide a Damascus Road experience in our hearts. This experience will be very clear about what divine mission He has called us to do. When it comes down to it, has Jesus given you a divine mission from God? He has, and it begins with each of us sharing the love He gave us with others so that they too, can learn to love Him and also receive His divine mission from God.
To learn more about these five areas of Spiritual Growth to prepare us for a divine mission from God, check out our series:
How can I become a Spiritually mature Christian?
May God bless each one of us as we seek out the Lord’s divine mission in our life.
Dr. Michael L. Williams, Head of Ministry Operations and Technology at Christianity Every Day, is a Christ-centered Author, Educator, Biblical Counselor and Advisor. He is ordained in Pastoral Ministry and formerly the founding Pastor of Selah Mountain Ministries, a church started along with his wife, Pamela Rose, after several years of pastoral experience and training in Biblical Counseling. Selah Mountain provided Biblical counseling and education to the public on how to overcome life issues Biblically on topics such as anger management, marriage, addictions, and other subjects – often referred to as mental illnesses. To learn more about Dr. Mike visit the About page.
