Called of God

The Hebrew writer records “Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;” note that in this text that Christians are identified as holy brethren, they have received a heavenly calling (divine calling), Jesus Christ is said to be the Apostle and High Priest of our profession (confession).

The heavenly calling of which he speaks does not come in some miraculous way, it comes through the gospel. Paul in writing to the Thessalonian brethren said “But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (2 Thess. 2:13-14). In 2 Tim. 1:9 Paul instructed Timothy “Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: 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,” 2 Tim. 1:8-9. Regarding this calling several things can be noted: 1. It was a call to salvation, 2. It was a holy calling, 3. It was not in view of our works, 4. It was according to God’s own purpose and grace 5. It was a call purposed in Christ Jesus before the world began. Another consideration of this call is found in Paul’s statement to the Philippians in chapter three verse fourteen “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Phil. 3:13-14. Paul here identifies the call as a high call to the obtaining of a prize that is worth striving for.

As Christians we have received a divine call through the gospel, a call that we must not take lightly. To what have we been called? Perhaps if we understood to what we have been called it would instill within us more respect, gratitude, conviction and drive to serve faithfully the one who saved us by His grace. Let us list some things to which we have been called.

We have been called to salvation Acts 2:38-39 “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.”

We have been called to be saints “Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ: To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.” Rom. 1:6 saints “(physically, pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially, consecrated): — (most) holy (one, thing), saint.”

We have been called to be children of God “And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God” Rom. 9:26 also compare Gal. 3:26-27.

We are called unto the fellowship of Christ “God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.” 1 Cor. 1:9. Compare 1 John 1:3.

We have been called to peace. Regarding an unbeliever leaving a believing mate because of their faith Paul said “But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace.” 1 Cor. 7:15 further consider Rom. 12:18; 14:19.

We have been called to liberty “For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.” Gal. 5:13 Even though we have liberty they are not to be used for the flesh but in service.

We have been called into the grace of Christ “I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:” Gal. 1:6 They were in danger of falling from this grace Gal. 5:4.

We have been called to live a specific order of life “I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,” Eph. 4:1 one translation says “to live as though you are worthy of God’s invitation.” compare Phil. 1:27.

We are called into God’s Kingdom and Glory “That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.” 1Thess. 2:12.

We are called to holiness “or God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.” 1 Thess. 4:7 compare 1 Pet. 1:15. Christians would do well to remember that they are not called to be unholy but holy.

We are called to eternal life “Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.” 1 Tim. 6:12.

We are called into God’s marvelous light “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light: “ 1Pet. 2:9 note that we have been called into his marvelous light to shew forth the praises of him who called us out of darkness made us in light a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, holy nation and a people of his own position.

We are called to suffer for Christ “For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: “ 1 Pet. 2:21 compare 2 Tim. 3:12.

We are called to bless others, even in the face of opposition “Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. 1 Pet. 3:9 compare Matt. 5:44.

We have been called to glory and virtue “ According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:” 2 Pet. 1:3.

We are called into one body “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.” Col. 3:15 compare 1 Cor. 12:13 and Eph. 2:16.

May the lord help us to walk honorably in the things to which we have been called.

Bill Cantrell