SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON - DEC 13TH

December 13

What Does Jesus’ Call Mean for Me?

Lesson Passage: Mark 2:15-28

BIBLICAL TRUTH
When we accept the call to follow Jesus, we also are to meet His expectations of how
to live. - Commentary by Darryl Wood, Pastor of Vincent First Baptist Church in Vincent Alabama.
 Jack sat across the desk from his supervisor, Jason, and read his yearly personnel evaluation. It stunned Jack. Finally he said, “I guess I didn’t realize that some of my work failed to measure up to your standards.” “That’s the purpose of the evaluation,” Jason said. “It’s not to put you down. You’ll notice I’ve commended you on some areas as well. We’ll use this as an opportunity to clarify what’s expected of you in this job. You can do even better work because of it.”
 The company for which Jack worked paid him a good salary. In return they demanded a certain quality of work from him. Similarly, God provides believers the reality of eternal life. He expects from those who have received this new life a certain quality of living.
 Christians new to the faith revel in the gift of salvation received. Growth in faith, however, involves a developing understanding of the expectations that accompany salvation. Care should be taken to inform new believers especially that meeting the demand of the gospel arises out of a sense of gratitude, not obligation.
 For that matter, all Christians are well-served by regular check-ups. We can quickly fall into the trap of staleness in our faith practice.
 When did you last consider the Lord’s expectations of you? How do you think He evaluates your adherence to those expectations?