Sovereign Calling
Everything God does is sure. God’s eternal purpose, as it has been decreed, will come to pass. In other words, and by example, if God has predestined one to adoption, then justification is sure for that one, but so is his calling (Rom 8:30). God will call each elect, redeemed soul to come to Jesus Christ, and they will surely come (Jn 6:37, 44; 10:4, 27).
The calling of God comes through the Gospel being preached to all creation (Mt 24:14; Mk 16:15). This method may seem archaic to some, but it is God’s ordained method. It will remain the method, until Christ returns in glory (Mt 24:29–31). In fact, it is the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ that the effectually called is sure to gain (2 Thess 2:14).
The preaching of the Gospel and the sure effect both belong to the ministry of the Holy Spirit. As it was recorded by Luke, in Acts 16:10, “God had called us to preach the Gospel to them (Macedonians).” Thus, the call of particular saints to the Gospel preaching ministry, is the means by which all the saints are called to come to Christ, that is, as many as the Lord will call to Himself (Acts 2:39).
God calls into being that which does not exist (Rom 4:17). Therefore, if it exists, the architect and builder of it was God (Heb 3:4; 11:10), who has made all things (Acts 17:24; Heb 1:2). Some are called to be saints (Rom 1:7), who have their identity and purpose in Christ, who calls them into His own kingdom (1 Thess 2:12). The kingdom of Christ on earth is in the Holy Spirit (Rom 14:17), who calls us into fellowship with God’s Son (1 Cor 1:9) and all the saints.
This calling is irrevocable (Rom 11:29); for it is God who has begun this good work in us, and it is His promise to complete it (Phil 1:6). This is the hope of His calling (Eph 1:18): God is working all things together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose (Rom 8:28).
God’s eternal purpose in Christ (Eph 3:11) is to call to Himself a people for His own possession (1 Pet 2:9). Those who are called (Jude 1:1) are to walk humbly with God (Mic 6:8), in a manner worthy of their calling (Eph 4:1).
Having been called out of darkness (1 Pet 2:9), and because of Him who calls (Rom 9:11), the Christian is called to freedom (Gal 5:13). This is the upward call of God (Phil 3:14), a calling to peace with God and man (1 Cor 7:15). This peace, therefore, was achieved by Christ alone at the cross (Rom 5:1). It is applied by the Holy Spirit, who produces it as spiritual fruit in the Christian (Gal 5:22).
Others will claim they have peace with God through their religion or philosophy, but peace with God is found only in Jesus Christ, the Prince of peace (Is 9:6). He is our only hope (Ps 62:5), and you were called in one hope of your calling (Eph 4:4).
In considering your calling (1 Cor 1:26) it is imperative to know that you were called by grace (Gal 1:15). Grace is the work of God, for the benefit of His saints. Christian salvation, therefore, is all of grace, and not of man (Jn 1:12–13; Eph 2:8–9). God performs what He wills (Ps 138:8; Is 26:12; Phil 2:13), and grace gets the job done for those who were appointed to eternal life (Acts 13:48).
Grace takes the saint all the way through to glory (Rom 8:30), for God calls His people to eternal glory (1 Pet 5:10). This also means, therefore, that God called us in sanctification (1 Thess 4:7). Sanctification is the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit (1 Pet 1:2), who employs the Word of truth, to craft each believer into conformity to the image of Jesus Christ (Rom 8:29), the icon of God (Col 1:15).
In conclusion, we must see, the calling of God is from God. It is issued by Gospel preaching and made effectual by the indwelling Spirit (Jn 14:17; Rom 8:9, 11), who causes us to walk in God’s ways (Ezek 36:27). In making our calling and election sure (2 Pet 1:10), we examine ourselves to see the sure salvation that has come to us (2 Cor 13:5), by His grace.
Is the Spirit of Christ in you? Do you fear God? Do you hate your sin? Do you love the Lord Jesus? Is His Word on your mind and in your heart? Is it in you to teach your children and grandchildren about Christ? Are you burdened for others to know Him? If yes, this is evidence of your calling, which is God’s sovereign prerogative.
David Norczyk
Spokane Valley, Washington
October 12, 2022
