The Business of Calling (Part 2)
Our Mission
To present Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord to business and professional men and to develop Christian business and professional men to carry out the Great Commission.
Jude 1.3 describes, I encourage you to contend earnestly for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints. Christianity is a manly business. It has always been embraced by the courageous, both male and female. Even today, those who love Jesus as their true God are suffering death, torture and abuse from ISIS wherever IS is in control.
It takes courage to live where you are despised. While suffering has been part of the Christian experience since its Author suffered on the cross for the salvation of all humanity, today’s verse is descriptive of what Christian’s should do offensively for their faith.
First, to contend well for the faith we must know well our faith. We cannot defend what we don’t know. Our ignorance of our Savior explains why so many remain ignorant of the One True God: Jesus Who is called the Christ. Second, to contend for the faith is to pray earnestly. Prayer is to be focused first on our own protection from that which would lead us away from God.
Second, prayer is to be focused on the people in our lives who have yet to recognize Jesus as God. We pray for people to recognize Jesus as Lord so that they become brothers in our faith rather than our persecutors for our faith.
Finally, we contend for our faith according to Jude by sharing the work of Jesus with people. The goal of our faith is the salvation of the world culminating in everyone, everywhere living eternally with God. The accomplishment of the will of God occurs when His children obey His command to go into all the world to make disciples.
To contend earnestly for our faith we must focus diligently on seeking God, prayer and sharing our faith. In this way we will show ourselves faithful disciples of our Lord Jesus.
His Opportunities
- Prayer and Bible study occurs every Friday morning at the Coral Gables restaurant in East Lansing from 7am – 8am, feel free to join us.
- CEO's, are you looking for a private group of fellow business owners for encouragement, support, and advice? CBMC offers such a group. Contact Mike at mwinter@cbmc.com for more information.
- CBMC needs your help to continue its ministry to men in the marketplace. Please DONATE
MONDAY MANNA
A service to the business community
A Publication of CBMC International
June 5, 2017
More Than ‘Just A Job’
by Rudolfs Dainis Smits
This year Christian history celebrates 500 years since the Reformation in Europe began. The Reformation changed the Church, impacting Western civilization and its teachings on calling. This view of work revitalized the marketplace. It is worth considering how the Reformation revolutionized the way we can approach work.
Martin Luther, a professor of moral theology and one of the Reformation’s principal leaders, challenged established religious authority on many matters of faith, vocation and work. He taught that every man and woman is called by God, regardless of vocation or position. Because of that, we are to work faithfully, with diligence and dignity. These principles might seem self-evident in today’s society, but they were not so evident then. Our work, profession, business or mission – whatever our hands find to do – when guided by personal passion and a love to serve, will prosper society and honor God.
A provocative quote attributed to Luther explains: “The maid who sweeps her kitchen is doing the will of God just as much as the monk whom prays – not because she may sing a Christian hymn as she sweeps but because God loves clean floors. The Christian shoemaker does his Christian duty not by putting little crosses on the shoes, but by making good shoes, because God is interested in good craftsmanship.” We have been called to do good works, as Ephesians 2:10 tells us: “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”
Luther taught vocation is the means and a platform by which we serve society and God. Through work, business or ministry we provide products, services and leadership, and bring a multitude of benefits to individuals and society. Through the combined the talent, ability and skill of various individuals, our work, professions and businesses provide goods and services for others and secure our own livelihoods. It is not by pursuing personal gain or profit, but excellence in service that truly benefits and impacts community. Any honorable calling or worthy goal can be traced along a path of just and faithful decision-making and service. Fulfilling our vocations with discipline, skill and excellence leads to growth necessary to sustain a business, bless society and glorify God.
Understanding our personal vocation will bring personal fulfillment, joy and prosper society. “The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people” (Titus 3:8).
Understanding vocation helps us to see work done in excellence draws us to God’s truth and service. “Calling is the truth that God calls us to himself so decisively that everything we are, everything we do, and everything we have is invested with a special devotion and dynamism lived out as a response to his summons and service.” – Os Guinness, author, sociologist, co-founder Trinity Forum.
Understanding calling does not prescribe success or ensure status, but strengthens us to overcome difficulties and trials. Calling may bring you directly into trials and failure, because obedience to God is not necessarily a matter of success. Martin Luther risked imprisonment when he posted his 95-point thesis on the door of the Wittenberg Castle. He was ready to suffer death by teaching and defending biblical doctrine that opposed established church authority. His passion for understanding and teaching what the Bible taught, a clear conscience and obedience to God, allowed him to remain faithful to God’s work in him. “…for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13). Luther’s dedication liberated the church and revolutionized understanding of vocation and established today’s work ethic essential to any business.
© 2017. Rudolfs Dainis Smits, MATS BArch Dipl. Arch – former business owner; currently design & technical manager for Hill International – Project and Construction Risk management; founding member and board member of CBMC Latvia; founding member of Reformed Baltic Theological Seminary, and former Europartners board member.
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