Four Questions for Jonah

Four Questions for Jonah

From the Pastor: Dr. M. J. Seymour, Sr.

“…What is thine occupation? and whence comest thou? what is thy country? and of what people art thou? ” (Jonah 1:8)

Part 2: “What is thine occupation?”

The work “occupation” is defined as what occupies or engages one’s time, as in employment, vocation, service, or calling. Biblically, those that are born out of the Spirit of God “are ambassadors for Christ.” (II Cor. 5:20) Jesus told His disciples that the Holy Spirit with heavenly power would come upon them, then “…ye shall be witnesses unto me …” (Acts 1:8) It is the business of every child of God to be actively representing Jesus as the Christ by giving a clear determinate testimony of who He is, what He did, and what He is going to do. It is the Christian’s business to occupy himself with the fullness of his calling in Christ Jesus, including prayer, study of the Word, assembling together, and sowing precious seed.

We are called upon each and every day to identify who and what we are before this horrendously judgmental and fault-finding world. Each and every individual with whom we come in contact will instantaneously form an opinion, right or wrong, of what we are and of what, if anything, we can contribute to his own little world. Many are defined by how they dress, personal hygiene, by what comes out of their mouths, and by what they occupy their doing. Each of us are defined in the eyes of mankind by what consumes our thoughts and energy. An authentic Christian is occupied and pre-occupied in his mind and spirit with heavenly matters. What consumes the purpose of our existence in this world?

Paul wrote: “… but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began.” (II Tim. 1:8-9) A real Christian’s is consumed with the occupation of pleasing the Father.