God equips who He calls

For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. (Eph 2:8-10)

 It is almost too good to be true!  Not only does God save us as a gift of His grace, but He also has designed each of us for a particular purpose.  Through the death of His dear Son, we receive the gift of eternal life by faith.  Then we realize He has a certain work for us to do- the good works that He has prepared in advance for us.  As we walk by faith, these good works will manifest themselves to the glory of God and to the praise of the Lord Jesus Christ. 

But it is so easy to feel inadequate.  How will we ever be able to fulfill the individual calling He gives us?  Well, there is good news! 

 "God equips who He calls."

 This principle suggests that God will provide the necessary resources, both tangible and spiritual, to enable us to fulfill our divine calling. This is a vivid demonstration of His love and kindness to us, His children.  He would never lay a burden on us too great to bear.  Sure, if we are trying to fulfill God's purposes by our own human resources, we will be terribly frustrated.  But He has not left us alone to rely on ourselves.  "He equips who He calls." 

 We are indwelt by the Holy Spirit

So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.  (Php 2:12-13)

 Not only does He give us the power to fulfill His will, but He produces the desire from within.

“Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. “I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. (Jn 15:4-5)

It is the Holy Spirit that produces spiritual fruit in and through us, as we abide in Him.

 We have the guidance of the Word of God

All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. (2 Tim 3:16-17)

 Through a daily intake of God's Word, the Christian finds guidance and correction in their walk.  Through the teaching, reproof, correction, and training of the Scriptures we grow to maturity in Christ and are equipped as servants of Christ.  We will become adequate and equipped for EVERY good work.  This means, no matter how challenging it may seem, we can have confidence that God's Spirit and God's Word will guide and empower us.

 Even when we suffer, God uses our situation to strengthen us for greater effectiveness

After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you. (1 Pet 5:10)

Life and ministry are not always easy.  Persecution is very real.  People often do not understand the man or woman of God.  And we are not immune from the pain and sickness of this fallen world.  But God is still faithful, and after we have suffered a while, He builds us up and makes us stronger.  We are even more well equipped for the good works He has prepared for us to do.

 He equips us for the glory of God

 Now the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the eternal covenant, even Jesus our Lord, equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen. (He 13:20-21)

It is important to remember that God has an ultimate purpose for why He equips us to do good works.  He will get the glory.  Sure, people are helped by our good works.  Some will come to Christ, others will grow, some will be comforted and prayed over.  But all good works result in praise and honor to the Lord Jesus Christ.

 “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men. “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. (Mt 5:13-16)

All passages in this post were taken from The New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995).