So Easy Yet So Hard February 2, 2015

The Constraint of the Call

¹⁶ For if I preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!  1 Corinthians 9:16  ESV

Beware of stopping your ears to the call of God. Everyone who is saved is called to testify to the fact; but that is not the call to preach, it is merely an illustration in preaching. Paul is referring to the pangs produced in him by the constraint to preach the Gospel. Never apply what Paul says in this connection to souls coming in contact with God for salvation. There is nothing easier than getting saved because it is God’s sovereign work—“Come unto Me and I will save you.” Our Lord never lays down the conditions of discipleship as the conditions of salvation. We are condemned to salvation through the Cross of Jesus Christ. Discipleship has an option with it—“IF any man . . .” Paul’s words have to do with being made a servant of Jesus Christ, and our permission is never asked as to what we will do or where we will go. God makes us broken bread and poured-out wine to please Himself. To be “separated unto the gospel” means to hear the call of God; and when a man begins to overhear that call, then begins agony that is worthy of the name. Every ambition is nipped in the bud, every desire of life quenched, every outlook completely extinguished and blotted out, saving one thing only—“separated unto the gospel.” Woe be to the soul who tries to put his foot in any other direction when once that call has come to him. This College exists to see whether God has any man or woman here who cares about proclaiming His Gospel; to see whether God grips you. And beware of competitors when God does grip you.

Chambers, Oswald (2011-05-01). My Utmost for His Highest, Classic Edition (p. 24). Discovery House Publishers. Kindle Edition.



"There is nothing easier than getting saved because it is God’s sovereign work—'Come unto Me and I will save you.'”   While I agree in theory, in application I disagree.  Yes, salvation requires no work, no effort, no gifts on our part, but that doesn't mean it is easy.  Perhaps the hardest thing we can ever do is admit we are sinners.  We are damned.  We are not in control.  Salvation is not available until we can face our failures as a human being.  That is no easy thing.  In fact it is that inability to admit our brokenness that keeps the check-in desk at Hotel Hell a bustling place.


"Our Lord never lays down the conditions of discipleship as the conditions of salvation."  I love this line.  It is a truism that is missed by many non Christians.  "To become a Christian I have to ______."   " In order to get to heaven I will have to give up ______."  Does today's church really believe what Chambers wrote decades ago?  Can a person be a Christian and still struggle with alcoholism?  Are any homosexuals heaven-bound?  Do we directly or indirectly place additional requirements on salvation other than belief in the cleansing blood of Christ?