A Do-Or-Die Attitude

A Do-Or-Die Attitude: Embracing God’s Call in the Face of Our Limitations

In 1 Samuel 14:6-10, Jonathan, accompanied only by his armor-bearer, demonstrates a remarkable “do-or-die” attitude, trusting in God’s power to deliver them from the Philistines. This passage serves as a powerful illustration of the kind of faith and obedience God calls for in our lives. This article explores the principle of stepping out in faith, relying on God’s strength rather than our own, and embracing our calling to serve Him wholeheartedly, regardless of our perceived limitations.

Jonathan’s Bold Faith: A Model of Obedience

The story of Jonathan and his armor-bearer provides a powerful example of faith in action:

“Jonathan said to his young armor-bearer, ‘Come, let’s go over to the outpost of those uncircumcised men. Perhaps the Lord will act in our behalf. Nothing can hinder the Lord from saving, whether by many or by few.’ ‘Do all that you have in mind,’ his armor-bearer said. ‘Go ahead; I am with you heart and soul.’ Jonathan said, ‘Come on, then; we will cross over toward them and let them see us. If they say to us, ‘Wait there until we come to you,’ we will stay where we are and not go up to them. But if they say, ‘Come up to us,’ we will climb up, because that will be our sign that the Lord has given them into our hands.'” (1 Samuel 14:6-10)

Prompted by the Spirit: Jonathan’s bold proposition was not based on his own strength or military strategy, but on a prompting he believed to be from the Holy Spirit. He recognized that God’s power is not limited by human numbers or ability.

Obedience Over Ability: Jonathan’s actions highlight a crucial principle: it’s not about whether we can or cannot do something, but whether we will or will not obey God’s leading. Our perceived limitations should not be a deterrent to following God’s call.

God Qualifies the Called: Overcoming Our “Issues”

The Bible is filled with examples of individuals who felt unqualified for the tasks God called them to. However, God doesn’t call the qualified; He qualifies the called.

Examples of “Unqualified” Heroes:

• Abraham: (Genesis 12:1-4; 17:15-21; 21:1-3) Doubted God’s promise of a son in his old age, even resorting to having a child with Hagar. Yet, God used him to become the father of many nations.
• Moses: (Exodus 3:10-12; 4:10-17) An adopted child, a murderer, and someone who struggled with a speech impediment. Yet, God used him to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, part the Red Sea, and receive the Ten Commandments.
• Samson: (Judges 13-16) A womanizer with a murderous temper and a lack of reverence for his Nazirite vow. Yet, God used him to deliver Israel from Philistine oppression, even using him in his death to destroy the Philistine temple.
• David: (1 Samuel 16:1-13; 17:32-51) A young shepherd, considered the least in his family. Yet, God chose him to be king and used him to defeat Goliath, establishing him as one of the greatest military leaders in history. God called him a man after his own heart (Acts 13:22).
• Gideon: (Judges 6:11-16) From the weakest clan, and considered himself the least in his family. Yet, God used him to lead a small army of 300 to victory over a vast Midianite force.
• Rahab: (Joshua 2; 6:22-25) A prostitute. Yet, God used her to help Israelite spies, leading to the fall of Jericho. She became an ancestor of Jesus (Matthew 1:5).
• Peter: (Matthew 4:18-20; 26:69-75) A simple fisherman with impulsive behavior, even denying Jesus three times. Yet, God used him as a foundational leader in the early church.
• Matthew: (Matthew 9:9-13) A tax collector, hated by his own people for collaborating with the Roman occupiers. Yet, God called him to be a disciple and an author of one of the Gospels.
• Paul: (Acts 8:1-3; 9:1-22) A  persecutor of Christians. Yet, God transformed him into a powerful apostle, spreading the Gospel throughout the Roman world and writing much of the New Testament.

Our Excuses are Invalid: These examples demonstrate that our weaknesses, past failures, and perceived limitations are not obstacles to God. In fact, He often uses our weaknesses to showcase His strength and grace. When God calls us to a task, our “issues” become mere excuses if we choose not to obey.

The Great Commission: Our Common Calling

While the specific callings of biblical figures varied, all Christians share a common calling: the Great Commission.

Matthew 28:19-20 records Jesus’ command: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”  

A Universal Mandate: This mandate is not limited to pastors or missionaries but applies to every believer. We are all called to share the Gospel and make disciples, using our unique gifts and opportunities to spread the message of Christ.

Commendation or Condemnation: The Choice is Ours

The Bible presents a clear choice for those who identify as Christians: we will either receive a commendation or a condemnation from God based on our faithfulness to His calling.

• Matthew 25:21: “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!”
• Matthew 7:21: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.”

Beyond Salvation: It’s crucial to understand that merely accepting Christ as Savior is not enough. We must also accept Him as Lord, submitting our lives to His authority and actively obeying His commands. Lord means master.

Serving the Master: Prioritizing His Will

Many false teachings promote the idea that God exists to fulfill our desires, like a “genie in a bottle.” However, the Bible presents a different picture: God is the Master, and we are His servants.

Servants Serve: As servants of Christ, our primary focus should be on serving Him and fulfilling His will, not on pursuing our own selfish desires. This may involve sacrifice and discomfort, but it’s through this service that we find true purpose and fulfillment. 1 Peter 4:10 states, “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”   

Rewards in Heaven: An Eternal Perspective

While salvation is a free gift, the Bible also speaks of rewards in heaven for faithful service on earth.

Storing Up Treasures:

• Matthew 6:19-21: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
• Matthew 16:27: “For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done.”
• 1 Corinthians 3:8: “The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor.”
• Colossians 3:23-24: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”
• 2 Corinthians 5:10: “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.”
• Revelation 22:12: “Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done.”

The Greatest Reward: Ultimately, the greatest reward is being with God, our Father, who loves us more than anyone ever could. This is the very embodiment of love and peace.

Living a Life of Faith and Action

James 2:17 states, “Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” If our faith feels weak or shallow, it may be because we are not actively living it out through obedience and service.

An Eternal Perspective: When we die, everything we have worked for on earth will eventually fade away. The prospect of earning eternal rewards should motivate us to live with a “do-or-die” attitude, wholeheartedly serving God and fulfilling the calling He has placed on our lives. We should commit to serving our Master with renewed vigor, knowing that our labor in the Lord is not in vain (1 Corinthians 15:58).

This article challenges us to examine our hearts and motivations. Are we truly living for the Lord, or are we primarily focused on our own comfort and desires? Let us embrace the call to be faithful servants, recognizing that our time on earth is short and that the rewards of serving Christ are eternal. May we be found faithful when He returns, ready to receive the commendation, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”