The Highest Call

Romans 8:29-30 “For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.”

The American author, Mark Twain, published his book the “The Prince and the Pauper” in 1881. It tells the story of two young boys who were born on the same day and were identical in appearance. Tom Canty who lived with his abusive, alcoholic father off Pudding lane in London and Edward VI of England, son of King Henry VIII.

Tom had been loitering around the palace gates one day and he met Edward Tudor, prince of Wales. Having been overcome with excitement, Tom was captured and beaten by one of the royal guards. Edward, having seen the display stopped what was happening and invited Tom into his palace chamber. Once the two boys got to know one another, they were fascinated by each other’s life and by the uncanny resemblance they had to one another. When they learned they had been born the same day, they decided to switch places temporarily. The prince, before he left the palace hid an item that we learn later was the Great Seal of England. When Edward leaves in Tom’s clothes he is summarily escorted back home to live with Tom’s abusive, alcoholic father and quickly finds the need to escape. In the process of fleeing the abuse, Edward meets Miles Hendon, a soldier and nobleman returning home from war. Edward tries to convince him he is actually the prince of Wales but Miles is only humored by the claim, only then deciding to become his protector. News reaches Edward that his father, King Henry VIII had died and so Tom, disguised still as the prince, comes in line for the throne.

Tom continually struggled with the customs and manners of the throne while Edward gained first hand knowledge of the brutal life of a London pauper. The court continually asked Tom concerning the whereabouts of the Great Seal, to which he had no knowledge. Edward on the other hand experienced the stark class inequality that existed in England, including the harsh judicial system where people were burned at the stake, pilloried, and flogged.

Just before the coronation of Tom as king, Edward comes back and tries to convince the court that he is the rightful heir to the throne. Edward’s knowledge of the whereabouts of the Great Seal prove his rightful place, leaving all who witness the spectacle in shock.

Edward assumed his rightful place as King and then appointed Miles as an Earl and his family the honor of sitting in the presence of the king. Tom was granted the position as the “King’s ward”, a position he held for life.

This fictitious story carries with it a parallel not too different than real life. A spiritual distinction that rings true for all caught up in the grandiose spectacle of spiritual warfare.

The Pauper

2 Corinthians 6:4-10 “But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God: in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses, in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in fastings; by purity, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love, by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, by honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report; as deceivers, and yet true; as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold we live; as chastened, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.”

Honor among paupers is not found in appearance but in the heart.

The stern, wicked alcoholic father is a role the world assumes all too readily. Don’t get me wrong, the position of pauper is not a position of disgrace but one of honor in God’s Kingdom. As a child of God, the christian pauper is in line for an inheritance that exceeds anything on earth. The faithful follower lives to honor the King of kings, a role that is despised by the world and mocked by those who lack understanding.

The world does not receive the poor in spirit, but theirs is the Kingdom of God. Striking against the spirit of self righteousness, hedonism, and all who despise the Truth, the pauper does not reveal the position of royalty, but rather walks among the destitute to love those who are regarded as insignificant. The world honors the proud, exalts the rich, and worships those who are of prominence. To be of the world is to be contrary to God.

What does the life of a christian pauper look like?

• Patient in tribulation.
• Enduring hunger and thirst.
• Distressing troubles.
• Beatings.
• Imprisoned for their faith.
• Holding to Truth.
• Rejoicing in the work of the Lord.
• Steadfast.
• Times of fasting and prayer.
• Living by the Spirit while forsaking the flesh.
• Walking in the power of God.
• Bearing the full armor of God.
• Honored by God and yet dishonored among men.
• Charged with evil for doing good.
• Regarded as deceivers while administering truth.
• Walking in anonymity and yet highly regarded in Heaven.
• Dying to self to live.
• Rising above adversity.
• Love for others.
• Poor but making many rich.
• Appearing as destitute but equipped with the riches of Heaven.

The life of the pauper may seem unappealing to the world, even offensive since it’s this lifestyle that rebukes worldly ideology.

From the viewpoint of the godless, the pauper would seem to be a fool to choose such a life. The appearance evokes the ridicule of all who seek after riches. Many think they have gained everything in this world only to find out they lack anything of lasting value.

The appearance of the Pauper hides their true worth. Value beyond compare lies at the feet of the humble, the riches of God’s glory awaits them and the investment of their lives continues to accrue interest that will be rewarded forever.

Proverbs 11:18 “The wicked man earns an empty wage, but he who sows righteousness reaps a true reward.”

The Prince

There are two types of princes in this world:

1. The prince of darkness. The ruler of the air rules over nothing that can be grasped. This realm has no substance and to all who subscribe to this deceiver, they inherit the wind. Ephesians 2:1-3 “And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.” Followers of Satan only seek personal fulfillment. Their flesh cries out for more, only to remain insatiable. They seek more knowledge, only to lift themselves up and present themselves as noble. They are pompous, full of pride but lacking understanding, and destined for destruction.
2. The Prince of Peace. Jesus came as a pauper, unassuming, born in a stable, the proclamation of His birth was announced to the lowly shepherds in the fields. Having lived as a carpenter like His father, He came to the world as one despised and ridiculed, having nothing but holding the keys to life, He bore our sorrows and carried our griefs. Isaiah 9:6 “For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” To those who follow the Lord, they too must assume a position of humility. His followers will not be lauded by this world, but God’s acclaim carries far more value. Praise that comes from the King is praise that is worth seeking. Praise from the world is an acclaim that comes from those destined for destruction.

What have you done with the choices you have been given?

There are none who may opt out, the world has no conscientious objectors in its ranks, the war for the soul of mankind is a war that pits the forces of darkness against the Kingdom of light. Choose this day whom you will serve, the Lord of all glory as your Prince or sleek away into the darkness only to find the lord of the flies is the dark deceiver who promises the world but delivers death.

The end of the story has already been written, which side will you be standing when the trumpet sounds?

Psalm 24:7-10 “Lift up your heads, O you gates!
And be lifted up, you everlasting doors!
And the King of glory shall come in.
Who is this King of glory?
The Lord strong and mighty,
The Lord mighty in battle.
Lift up your heads, O you gates!
Lift up, you everlasting doors!
And the King of glory shall come in.
Who is this King of glory?
The Lord of hosts,
He is the King of glory. Selah

For those called by His name, the name of Jesus, their honor will be found in their Savior. All the paupers will be brought into His throne room as heirs with Him…simply because of His grace.

To those who choose the world, the end will come in shame and disappointment. The false promises of a ruthless prince will prove only be the deception needed to sway the masses toward oblivion. The curse of sin remains on those who choose the wide gate and broad road, a lake of fire awaits all who walk blindly to his beat.

Until death leads you through the corridor of judgement, you still have a choice, a choice that must be made in all sincerity. To reject the one places you in the camp of the other.

Eternal life or eternal death.

The path seems obvious, but if it was easy why wouldn’t all follow?

Exalted by the world now or exalted by God later…what path will you choose?