The Problem of Rights!
We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making His appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. 2 Corinthians 5:20.
Jesus Christ is calling men and women today as he did 2000 years ago. He issued three kinds of calls: the general call, the discipleship call, and the special call.
His general call is voiced in “Come to me all who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28. That call has to do with the burden of sin, and it is issued to everyone. Once a person responds to this call and receive Jesus Christ as his sin bearer, the problem of sin and his responsibility is forever settled.
The discipleship call is expressed in Jesus words to the fisherman beside the Sea of Galilee, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Matthew. 4:19. That call has to do with the ownership of rights, and it is addressed only to those who have responded to the first call. Next to the problem of sin, the problem of rights will be my most grievous. Here the battle may be fiercer and the struggle longer. Nevertheless, Jesus Christ insists that all Christians enroll as quickly as possible as His disciples.
Sometimes the enrollment takes place simultaneously with conversion, sometimes it takes months or years longer, depending upon our understanding of Christ claims and the tenacity of our will. To be a disciple means that we resign from the right to ourselves. We surrender our personal sovereignty to Jesus Christ. From then on, He is our Commander and Chief and we are under orders.
How difficult this decision is! Jesus Christ taught thousands and healed hundreds, yet how many become His disciples? How many Christians are there today who are disciples? Surrendering is an act of submitting our will to Him as Lord. As the loving servant who received the piercing of the ear who stated, “I love my master. I will not go out free.” Exodus 21:2-5.