God Is Calling You! Come Now! by Joseph Edem Bassey

 

 "COME NOW, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." (Isaiah 1:18).

INTRODUCTION (God Is Calling You!)

 I want to first of all welcome everyone of my beloved readers into a new season. This season is special because God is interested in starting a fresh relationship with those who messed up in the midst of many mysteries.

 Many people partook in many wrong activities and lifestyles which can be referred to as rebellion against God. Some were ignorant while others were purposeful.

 In all, this message, GOD IS CALLING YOU" is for each and everyone to attend to God's communion of mercy. God is hosting a special meeting with everyone who attends to this call. In that meeting, major matters relating to the generality of life will be settled amicably as long as the terms are met.

The Calling Of Man By God

 From our anchor scripture, God said, "COME NOW..." If we are to study the clause, we will realize that the call is urgent and requires immediate attention.

 Another thing that comes to mind is the reason for the call. Probably, someone will be asking, "Why is God calling me?" As we proceed, this and more questions not asked will be addressed and answered.

 Just as every call has a purpose, the calling of man by God is not left out from the basket of purpose. Before diving into the purpose or reasons for the calling of man by God, let us briefly look at two men from the scriptures that were called by God. 

Men That Were Called By God

1. Zacchaeus
2. Paul

Zacchaeus The Task Collector

 According to the book of Like chapter 19:1-10, it was recorded of a leader of the task collectors by name, Zacchaeus. He was a man of little statue, though he did many abomination things; he charged people, robbed people and forcefully took people's goods and products.

 A certain time came in the life of Zacchaeus where after hearing of Jesus Christ, he desired to have a sight of Him. On going out, the crowd did not allow him. Therefore, he climbed up a sycomore tree, and fortunately, Jesus Christ was passing through that direction. 

 

 "5. And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house.

6. And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully." (Luke 10:5,6).

 When Jesus Christ saw Zacchaeus, He called him to come down immediately. Why? The reason is because Jesus Christ was going to visit his house and give him salvation. What Zacchaeus did was to rush down from the tree, and joyfully receive Jesus Christ.

 Normally, the reaction of Zacchaeus is not what anyone should expect from a rich publican. Notwithstanding, it is worth taking note of.

Paul The Persecutor Of Jesus Christ

 The man called Saul, well known as Paul, was a lawyer of the law of Moses. Unfortunately, he was against Jesus Christ and his disciples. Therefore, he took it as his duty to interrupt the activities of the church of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

 His efforts towards eradicating the church from the believe and teachings of Jesus Christ was very effective, until he received the call that rendered all his activities, useless. 

 One day, Paul was given the approval to go to Damascus and continue causing havoc in the church of God by imprisoning the believers in Jesus Christ. Thereby, persecuting the church.

 "3. And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:

4. And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?

5. And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.

6. And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do." (Acts 9:3-6).

 When Paul had the divine encounter with our Lord Jesus Christ, he didn't waste time but asked what the Lord wanted him to do. The Lord instructed him and he obeyed. From that day, his life changed for the better.

 

God Is Calling You!

 It is worth knowing that our Lord Jesus Christ called these two men while they were swimming in the sea of sin. No one would have counted them worthy of God's mercies because of their contradictory lifestyle towards the word of God and the people of God. The changes they both experienced, came into reality the moment they attended to the call of the Lord.

 Today, God Is Calling You! I mean you; that liar, that pervertous or unjust judge, that arm robber, that fornicator. That guy or lady, man or woman whom the world have refused to identify with, due to the velocity of the sins you committed. God Is Calling You! 

 That sinner that is disappointed in his or herself, God Is Calling You! 

 That official embezzling government funds,God Is Calling You!

That servant cheating on his or her master, God Is Calling You! 

 That master cheating on his or her servants, God Is Calling You!

 That leader leading the people astray, God Is Calling You!

 That teacher maltreating female students and robbing the students of their little resources, God Is Calling You! 

 That student bullying other students and causing havoc in the school, God Is Calling You!

 God is much more interested in the salvation of your soul than in your sin. That's why today; God is calling you to come now and have a moment of reasoning with God. A moment where your life will be reshaped and your focus, restructured. 

 God said in the book of Isaiah chapter 1:16-18:

 "16. Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil;

17. Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.

18. Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool."

 No matter how bad your sins are, God is ready to forgive you as long as you are willing to forsake them. Whether they be like scarlet, God is ready to make them as white as snow.

 In other words, God is ready to wash you of any stain of sin, and make you as white as snow and as wool. That is why at this time, God is calling you! And He is expecting your immediate response to His call with willingness of heart. Therefore, He said;

 "If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land.

 But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it." (Isaiah 1:19,20).

 The two personalities; Zacchaeus and Paul, though sinner but obedient to the calling of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

 Zacchaeus willingly obeyed Jesus Christ without anyone having persuaded him. Paul willingly requested what Jesus Christ required of him and obeyed immediately he was instructed. How about you?

 God is calling you, will you willingly obey and attend to this great call? Know that refusal to obey, puts you at the point of death and eternal damnation. God Is Calling You!

God Is Calling You: Why You Should Attend To The Call

 Let me briefly give you two reasons you should not refuse or delay this call.

1. Later May Be Too Late

 I have witnessed many people, purposely, postpone the call of God to later things but some never had the later chances to experience the change. The calling of God is for the 'now' and not 'then.' The time is too short to keep God waiting, take it better as now or never.

 "Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is." (Ephesians 5:16,17).

If you don't want to miss that great moment with the Lord, don't refuse this call for later because later May be too late.

2. Tomorrow May Never Come

 Many people believe and feel they are very much in charge of their lives that the morrow is too sure to be missed. Well, those who will miss tomorrow never thought they will, until they do.

 A friend of mine was once called by the Lord, to surrender to Him. Instead of joyfully accepting the Lord as Zacchaeus did, he said that he should be given till tomorrow. It's been many months now, and tomorrow has not yet arrived for him. James chapter 4:12-14 says;

 "12. There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?

 13. Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain:

 14. Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away."

God Is Calling You: Benefits Of Attending To The Call

 The benefits of attending to God's call are worth experiencing than explaining. Below are some of the benefits you can find in the lives of those who attended to God's call.

1. You will be forgiven all your sins.

2. You will be made anew.

3. You will be transformed.

4. Your life will take a new beginning and better shape.

5. You will be adopted into God's family; for those who are not in the family of God.

6. You will be given a mark of ownership by the Holy Spirit.

7. You will be under the protection of the Strong Tower.

8. You will enjoy divine intervention and provision.

You will be changed.

 If you look back to the characters we used in this message, you will find out that their sins were forsaken by them while they were forgiven by God. Would you like to forsake your sins, so that God will forgive you of them all? God Is Calling You to do so.

CONCLUSION:

 The saying that "A tick in time saves nine" is true. Don't live to regret your time on Earth, but take advantage of the chances to change.

 On the last day, the day of judgement; many people will say, "Had I known." I pray that won't be your portion in Jesus name. While you say 'amen' remember that God Is Calling You! It's time to attend to the call.

PRAYER:

 Lord Jesus, I thank you for your word and love towards me. I know I am a sinner who has been deceived by the world and deserves, death. Therefore, I come to you for soul salvation and I accept you as my Lord and Saviour. 

 Dear Lord, I receive the transformation by your word and spirit as I totally surrender to you in obedience to your calling. Lord, purify me like gold and afterwards, use me to perfect your will in my life and the world at large in Jesus name.

Pray For Me:

  I pray for your son, Joseph Edem Bassey. Bless him and keep him, make your face shine upon him and fill him with Thine excellent spirit. Use him to fulfill your perfect will in Jesus name, amen!

 If you prayed that prayer, I want to say congratulations and thank you for praying for me. God bless you.

©JOSEPH EDEM BASSEY