Lesson 21: Call Of God

By ampiaw Last updated Jan 7, 2025

God has a unique purpose for each believer in the Lord Jesus Christ.

His calling encompasses a magnificent plan for our lives that extends into eternity, and we also experience a manifestation of that calling here on earth in the present.

“Who has saved us, and CALLED us with a holy calling … according to his own purpose and grace… ”. 2Timothy 1:9.

“Now if we are children, then we are heirs – heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ… And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been CALLED ACCORDING TO HIS PURPOSE”. Romans 8:17, 28. See also verses 29, 30.

A. GOD HAS CALLED US

1. From The Foundation Of The World

“For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will”. Ephesians 1:4-5. See also Ephesians 2:10 and Matthew 25:34.

2. To Be Separated Unto Him

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light”. 1Peter 2:9.

B. OUR CALL ON EARTH

“Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God”. Romans 1:1.

In describing his own ministry, the Apostle Paul gives us an example of the call that is upon EVERY believer. It has three aspects:

1. The General Calling – “A Slave Of Christ”

Jesus paid a high price for us, His own life.

“For he who was a slave when he was called by the Lord is the Lord’s free man; similarly, he who was a free man when he was called is Christ’s slave. You were bought with a price… ”. 1Corinthians 7:22-23. See also 1Corinthians 6:19-20.

When Paul refers to himself as a slave of Jesus Christ, he implies a more profound significance. In his cultural context, a slave who had the opportunity to gain their freedom but opted to remain with their master out of love would receive a mark, often a piercing in their ear.

This marked them as a “love slave” or bond servant, committed to their master for life, as described in Exodus 21:5-6 and Deuteronomy 15:16-17. The Apostle Paul willingly identifies himself as a bond servant of the Lord Jesus.

2. The Special Calling – “Called To Be An Apostle”

Just as the Apostle Paul experienced a unique and profound calling upon his life, every believer in Christ is also endowed with a distinct purpose and divine assignment.

Paul’s calling led him to be a pivotal figure in the early church, specifically chosen to spread the Gospel to the Gentiles and to establish congregations across various regions.

However, it is essential to recognize that within the Body of Christ, there exists a rich tapestry of different callings and roles, each vital to the overall mission of the church.

As outlined in scriptures such as Romans 12:3-8 and Ephesians 4:7-16, each believer is encouraged to understand and embrace their individual gifts and responsibilities.

In Romans, Paul emphasizes that we are all members of one body and that we each have different functions and gifts that contribute to the whole. Whether one’s calling is one of teaching, serving, encouraging, leading, or showing mercy, it is crucial to recognize that each role is important and necessary for the health and growth of the church.

In Ephesians, Paul elaborates on the idea that Christ has given various gifts to His people to equip them for works of service, thereby building up the body of Christ.

Each believer is gifted in unique ways, with the intention that these gifts be used not only for personal fulfillment but also for the collective well-being of the church community.

To discover the special part that God has designed for us to play in His grand plan, we must actively and earnestly seek His will through prayer, reflection, and engagement with the Scriptures.

This journey of seeking is often accompanied by spiritual growth, guidance from mature believers, and the insights gained through experiences of service and ministry.

As we pursue this relationship with God, He gradually reveals our individual callings, equipping us with the knowledge and strength to fulfill His purpose in our lives.

3. The Particular Calling – “Separated Unto The Gospel”

Within each special calling there is a particular calling. For example, Peter and Paul were both apostles, but one was the apostle to the Jews and the other to the Gentiles.

See Romans 11;13; 1 Timothy 2:7; 1 Corinthians 12;4-11.

We move into our special and particular calling only as we prove ourselves as servants of Christ, for we must first learn to be wholly under the authority of Christ before we can be SENT by Him.

See Matthew 28:18-19.

C. WHY DOES HE CALL US?

1. Because The World Is In Darkness

“We know that we ourselves are children of God, and we also know that the world around us is under the power of the evil one”. 1John 5:18 Phillips Translation. See also Ephesians 6:12 and Colossians 12:13.

2. Because People Are Hungry And In Need

“When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd”. Matthew 9:36.

3. To Prove His Wisdom

“His intent was that now, through the Church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in heavenly realms, according to the eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord”. Ephesians 3:10-11.

4. Because Time Is Short

“Do you not say, ‘Four months more then the harvest’? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for the harvest!” John 4:35. See also John 9:4.

D. WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE ARE CALLED?

1. We Are Made By Him

“’Come, follow me, ‘Jesus said, and I WILL MAKE YOU fishers of men’”. Matthew 4:19.