The Call To Overcome: Invitation Or Command?

Jesus turned, and seeing them following, said to them, “What do you seek?”

They said to Him, “Rabbi” (which is to say, when translated, Teacher), “Where are You staying?”

He said to them, “Come and see.” They came and saw where He was staying, and remained with Him that day…

John 1:38-39 (NKJV) (INVITATION)

Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”

Matthew 19:21 (NKJV) (Command!)

Over and over, Jesus declares, 'Come!' So if He…

  • Is our Head (mind), and we are His body, 

  • Is our Master. and we are His servants,

  • Is Heaven’s Shepherd, and we are His sheep,

  • Is our Teacher, and we are His students,

  • Is our Captain, and we are His soldiers,

  • Is our Bridegroom, and we are His betrothed,

  • Is the Light, and we are His reflectors,

  • Is our Director, and we are His stars,

  • Is God’s Son, and we are His worshippers,

  • Is the Bread of Life and we are starving,

  • Is our Savior, and we have been rescued…

When He says come… we come, move, learn, help, work, fight, follow, and shine… as He directs us.

But if Christ…

  • Is our Head, and we don’t walk in His ways,

  • Is our Master, and we don’t obey Him,

  • Is Heaven’s Shepherd, and we act like goats,

  • Is our Teacher, and we don’t do homework,

  • Is our Captain, and we skip His Orders,

  • Is our Bridegroom, and we miss the wedding,

  • Is the Light, and we stay undercover,

  • Is our Director, and we miss His call,

  • Is God’s Son, and we don’t give Him glory,

  • Is the Bread of Life, and we don’t fill up,

  • Is our Savior, and we refuse His Hand…

How can we overcome 'The sin which so easily ensnares us' (Hebrews 12:1)?

Actors, models, and talent for Christ:

  • 'To be or not to be' is a question offered by Shakespeare.*

  • 'To come or not to come' is an answer demanded by God.**

Shall we say, 'No, thanks' or 'Maybe later' to our Creator? Here's how I see it:

  • For outsiders, 'Come' is an appeal, an invitation.

  • For followers, 'Come' is a command, a direct order.

You are His stars and courageous actors, walking boldly into a mission field. I believe your King is SO PROUD of you. Therefore, keep coming and keep performing!

The Call To Overcome: Invitation Or Command? (Part 6)

NOTE: God is my Ghostwriter. If what I write is good, it’s from God. You may see notes to 'Actors, Models & Talent for Christ.' If you think you're not in show business, think again. Shakespeare said, 'All the world's a stage and all its men and women merely players.’ Mostly true. But you're not merely players. You are messengers and ambassadors for the King of kings.

* Hamlet, Act 3, Scene 1: http://www.nosweatshakespeare.com/quotes/hamlet-to-be-or-not-to-be/

** From The Parable of the Wedding Feast: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=matthew+22%3A1-14&version=NKJV

** From The Parable of the Great Supper: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=luke+14%3A15-23&version=NKJV

Carey Arban