Called!

There is a calling placed upon every person’s life, whether a believer or an unbeliever. God created us on purpose for a purpose. God knew us and wrote a book about us even before we were born (Jeremiah 1:5; Psalm 139:16). God reveals Himself through creation, the preaching, and teaching of His Word, prophecy, dreams, and visions, etc. It is the Holy Spirit who brings revelation and draws us to Jesus Christ (John 6:44). He calls every person to come into a relationship and reconcile with the Father through His Son Jesus (John 16:8-11).

We can see from the parable about the kingdom of God Jesus told concerning the wedding feast that not everyone called is chosen (Matthew 22:1-14). The call initially went to the Jewish people who rejected Christ. Then the invitation went out to the Gentiles. But only those who wore the wedding garments were accepted. Therefore, many are called or invited into the kingdom, but we cannot come on our own. We are not accepted into the kingdom of God without the covering of the blood of Jesus Christ for our sins. So many are called, but only a few respond because they are the ones who are truly hearing. Jesus said, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear” (Matthew 11:15).

Only those who receive Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord can fully step into the calling that God has for their life. As a Christian and believer in Christ Jesus, you have a calling. There are two types of callings the Bible talks about, 1) a general or faith calling that God has placed on every Christian, and 2) a specific or unique vocational or life calling.

For by grace, you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:8 – 10
Who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began. 2 Timothy 1:9

Let’s look at the general call upon our lives. First, God loves us and calls us to love Him and share His love with the people of this world (Matthew 22:34-40). This is at the core of our faith calling and will never change.

Second, we draw our faith calling directly from Christ Himself. Here are a few ways God calls us to live our lives: to know Jesus intimately (Philippians 3:14), to live holy not impure lives (1Thessalonians 4:7; 1 Peter 1:15-16; 3:9), to be ambassadors for Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20), to be disciples of Jesus and to make disciples (1 Peter 2:21; Matthew 28:19-20), to forgive (Colossians 3:13; James 5:16), to live in freedom and to serve others (Galatians 5:13).

We also have a specific or vocational life calling upon our lives. Merriam-Webster dictionary defines calling as a strong inner impulse toward a particular course of action or vocation, especially when accompanied by conviction of divine influence.

There is a misconception that only ministers, missionaries, worship leaders, evangelists, etc., have a call of God upon their lives. But every Christian has a call of God upon their lives, and we must know what our specific calling is. It will help us maintain the right focus, so we don’t get pulled off course and effectively use our gifts and talents to maximize what we are called to do.

We will never truly live and be satisfied and fulfilled until we do what God has called us to do (Psalm 37:23). Some do things for money, fame, power, etc., but won’t be happy. When we live in our calling, we will flourish, be strengthened, and be energized. Our gifts may work in things we are not called to but will only work to a certain degree. Therefore, we must maximize our gifts in what we are called to do. When we know and step into our calling, we will impact many.

God rewards us for faithfully living the life He has called us to, not just living a good life! Did we walk according to what He wrote in His book or go another way (Ecclesiastes 3:15; Psalm 139:16)? We will be judged according to what we were called to do, not by what we did. Thus, He not only rewards us in this life but also with eternal rewards.

What we do with the cross determines where we will spend eternity. Still, when we stand before the judgment seat of Christ, we will not be judged for our sins because Jesus already took them but on how we lived our life as a believer, i.e., our words, works, and intentions and how our life accomplished what He gave us to do (2 Corinthians 5:8-10). As a result, we will receive rewards or losses that will stand forever (1 Corinthians 3:13-15). But even if we lose everything we did here on earth, we will still be saved if we have Christ. Therefore, we need to live with an eternal perspective. He wants us to receive a full reward, all He has for us (2 John 1:8).

Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. 1 Corinthians 9:24

If you have never answered the call of God to receive Jesus Christ as your Savior, you can do that right now and step into the beautiful life and calling that God has for you. Pray this suggested prayer out loud right now. You can also pray in your own words. Remember, it is not words or prayer alone that will save you. Prayer is a way to reach out to the Lord and must be done in faith (completely trusting in Him to save you). Christ will save you if you pray these or similar words in faith.

Heavenly Father,

Your Word says that whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. Therefore, I ask You to forgive me for my sins. I repent of my sins, turn from them and turn to You. I am calling on You and ask Jesus to come into my heart and be Lord over my life. I believe that Jesus died on the cross and shed His blood for me. I believe in my heart that You raised Him from the dead, and He is alive today. Thank you for forgiving my sins and giving me the Holy Spirit to live inside of me. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit and Your healing power in my life. I now belong to You. Help me to live for You and obey You all the days of my life.

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

If you prayed for salvation in faith, you are now a child of God and are in His family (John 1:12; Romans 8:16). Go to my website and check out some steps on how to grow in your relationship with Him! https://alexiscarucci.com/welcome-to-gods-family/

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28
Then he said to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!’” And he said to me, “These are the true sayings of God.” Revelation 19:9

Please join me next week as we look at how to discover our specific calling.