A Person Called by God (Judges 6:11–16)
A Person Called by God (Judges 6:11–16) 5/10/2026
When the people of Israel were suffering, God called people who would be used in His place to save and help them. These were the judges, and in this passage, Gideon.
Was Gideon such a great person? If we look carefully at the passage, he was actually an ordinary man with nothing particularly special about him. As he himself confessed in verse 15, he came from the weakest family in the tribe of Manasseh, and he was the least among his brothers. He was simply a man living an ordinary life as a farmer. Why then did God call someone like him? Before answering that, we first need to understand what this calling means.
- God gives at least three opportunities of calling (“Calling”) in the lives of His people
1) A Calling for Salvation God predetermined His people for salvation and calls those whom He has chosen (Romans 8:30). Unless God chooses and calls a person, no one can truly come to faith and be saved (though in reality, no one naturally seeks this on their own). God calls His chosen people, and when they hear and believe the gospel, the work of salvation takes place (this is evangelism). No matter how hardened a person may be against believing, when God calls them, their hearts will open (Acts 13:48).
2) A Calling for Mission
This is also why the Lord chose and called the twelve disciples (Mark 3:13–14).
① God desires even now to raise up those of us who are saved so that we may save people like ourselves and bring life to all nations. This is the work Christ left for us while we live on this earth (John 14:12).
God promises to bless every part of our lives so that we may become witnesses for this purpose (Acts 1:8).
② Even if a person receives many blessings, if they do not realize the absolute reason God blesses them, one of three things happens. First, they become distant from God’s heart and plan. One day, God may even take away those blessings. This is why the Israelites eventually lived as captives, subjects of foreign nations, and wandering people. Second, even after receiving all the answers and blessings of the world, a person may become empty and even fall into deep depression. Third, though saved, they may stand before God without reward or glory. In extreme terms, it becomes a shameful salvation.
3) A Calling for an Eternal New Beginning. This is the death of a believer (Psalm 116:15). It is completely different from the death of an unbeliever. Unbelievers will be resurrected on the day the Lord returns and face eternal judgment (John 5:29; Revelation 20:12–13).
- Why does God call us like this? It is because of God’s absolute love, absolute plan, and absolute blessing toward us.
1) God does not call us to use us harshly and make us suffer (Lamentations 3:33). This is why Christ came with His authority.
① He became the Way so that we could come before God (John 14:6). This was the work of His prophetic authority. Because He is with us, we no longer need to live as weary and burdened people (Matthew 11:28).
② Through His redemption on the cross, He freed us from all curses, fate, and the powers of darkness (Romans 8:1–2). This was the work of His priestly authority. Now He has established us as people who are free (John 8:32) and who enjoy heavenly blessings (Ephesians 1:3–5).
③ Through His resurrection, He destroyed the works of Satan that lead people into failure and suffering even now (1 John 3:8). This was the work of the authority of the King of kings. All spiritual problems (nightmares, tormenting voices, depression, and mental suffering) can be ended (Acts 10:38).
2) Because the life of being used to save ourselves and the world is the most essential blessing.
① When a person feels they have nothing meaningful to do in life, they lose their sense of worth and become miserable. Psychologists summarize humanity’s basic psychological needs into two things (the need for protection (security), and the need for recognition (self-esteem and dignity)).
This is why the gospel must be imprinted deeply into a child’s unconscious life before the age of three. Otherwise, people wander throughout life.
When roots are established after infancy, there is no reason to wander during adolescence. If roots are not formed even then, life becomes difficult for a long time.
When a person develops the nature of the gospel throughout their lifetime, their inner being and entire life become bright and peaceful.
② God promises to do what human beings cannot do (Isaiah 43:1–4). Christ came for this healing (Isaiah 61:1). As we are saved and healed, we recover lifelong confidence and dignity while being precious instruments in God’s hands. This is the reason He called us. Through such lives, God makes His people into masterpieces that save the world and end the suffering of the world.
- God’s standard in calling us and what we must do
1) What standard does God use when He calls people? The Bible says they are those whom God has chosen and desired. It is not the standard of the world, of people, or even of ourselves. Therefore, we must not judge people carelessly. What then is God’s standard?
① God does not choose according to worldly greatness. Rather, like Gideon in this passage, He chooses the weakest. He does this so that people may look only to Christ and boast only in Christ (1 Corinthians 1:29–31).
Then their lives become testimonies that can save people like themselves and anyone else as well. This is His power.
② Even times of weakness, old age, and sickness can become opportunities.
Moses is the model (Exodus 3:12).
③ Even times of failure and shame caused by being deceived by Satan can become opportunities.
Paul is the model (Acts 9:15). However, Scripture also says that the suffering one receives may be great according to what they have done (Acts 9:16). This is why remnants must be raised correctly and strongly in the gospel from childhood. Joshua and Samuel are such models.
They walked humbly, strongly, and prosperously in all things while being used by God.
2) What must we do now? We must challenge ourselves in three things
① Respond willingly and humbly to God’s calling (Isaiah 6:8). At times, this means leaving behind certain things and following Him (Matthew 4:20; Matthew 16:24), because something greater and more glorious awaits. Then God will be with us and accomplish everything through us (verse 16). This is the power of the gospel.
② Find evidence of God’s calling even in small things.
Gideon sought signs from God twice, almost as though testing Him (verses 20–21; 36–40).
This was not unbelief, but faith seeking God’s confirmation even in small matters.
③ Looking to that power, throw away all excuses and challenge yourself to prepare a “300% vessel.”
Make even your small strengths into specialization and uniqueness—that is the first 100%. It can be done through genuine prayer. Develop enough strength to change the flow of the field where you are—that is another 100%. Joseph enjoyed this blessing (Genesis 39:3). Build a future system that can save the world—that is the final 100%. Through establishing One Mind Church, God has given these answers over thirty years.
Conclusion – No matter what others may say, no matter what situation we are in, and no matter what weaknesses we may have, we are people whom God has called.
5.10.26 A Person Called by God