Lord, I need to understand the difference between being called to service and fitness for service. I have nothing to do with the call. It is beyond me and lies deep in the sovereign will of God. When it comes to fitness for service I must remember that there are two aspects to it: First, God’s provision for my fitness is by equipping me with the gifts of the Spirit (I Corinthians 12:4–11). These gifts, like the call, are God’s prerogative alone; I am merely their channel. Second, my provision for my fitness is by being at my spiritual best at all times.
I take my cue from the Old Testament priest. He could not be blind (Leviticus 21:18). No sightless man was allowed to minister in the holy place, and the implications of that are pertinent to me; I may not minister God’s truth to others unless I see—see Him, and them, and it. I have no business talking about something that is not really part of me; I may not be a “professional” disciple. I love that word from the Ascent Psalms, “Her priests … I will clothe with salvation” (Psalm 132:16). My whole business as God’s priest is to be about “salvation.” I am to be engaged in salvaging people from their sins, their failures, their evil desires, and their corrupted habits. But I must remember that to be a spokesman for salvation means I must be an example of it, right down to my “clothing.”
I cannot call myself to minister, nor can I endow myself with the spiritual necessities; but I can make myself fit by knowing God, walking with Him, and keeping myself spiritually clean and effective. Who is sufficient for these things? No one! But “our sufficiency is Godgiven. And He has qualified us to be ministers of a new covenant” (2 Corinthians 3:5–6, Berkeley).
“Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds” (Titus 2:14).
Daily with the King 