The Bible speaks of people being called by God. But what does that mean? Just what is a calling? Have you been called? Is God calling you? How would you know? What proof do you have? Is everyone who believes in God called by God? Why does God call people? Does God call people for a purpose other than just to know Him and love Him? Is a calling the same as conversion?
In this article we will examine what the Bible reveals about a calling. We will find out what constitutes a calling and why it is such a unique opportunity. We will also learn why it is vital to understand what Scripture reveals about this important subject. Many questions that cause division among Christians arise today because some have forgotten—or never understood or do not believe—what the Bible plainly states about a calling.
An Old Testament Calling
In the book of Isaiah, we find several references to a calling from God. Isaiah refers to a “Servant” of God, an “Elect One,” who is called by God to be a “covenant to the people and a light to the Gentiles” (Isaiah 42:1–6). These verses are speaking prophetically of Jesus Christ and the role He was to fulfill. However, they seem to contain a dual reference to the nation of Israel, which the previous chapter describes as the “servant” of God (Isaiah 41:8–10). This same parallel reference to Christ and Israel is found in Isaiah 49:1–6, where the servant of God is called to be a light to the Gentiles. The Hebrew word translated “called” is qara, which means “invited, requested, ordered.” These scriptures indicated that God called both Christ and the nation of Israel for a purpose—to do a job. We will see that this same meaning—being called for a purpose—carries over into the New Testament.
Jesus Explains
In the book of Matthew we read that “out of Egypt I called my Son” (Matthew 2:15). Joseph and Mary fled to Egypt with the infant Jesus to save His life (Matthew 2:13–14). However, this refuge in Egypt was only temporary until the family could return to their home in Nazareth (vv. 19–23). Jesus was called out of Egypt to fulfill a mission—to preach the gospel, train disciples, give His life as a sacrifice for the sins of mankind and raise up a Church to continue His work. As we will see, God calls people into His Church not to hide from the world—or just to socialize together—but to take part in a vital mission.
To the disciples He called, Jesus clearly outlined the purpose of a calling. The Greek word translated “called” means to be invited or to receive an invitation. Christ invited the disciples to “follow” Him and become “fishers of men” (Matthew 4:18–22). They were invited to follow His example and instructions—and to do His work. They were not invited to question, criticize or second-guess their Teacher. They were not invited to ignore His instruction to preach the gospel or to innovate upon His teachings. They were called for very important reasons—and to receive a specific reward!
Jesus also stated “I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance” (Matthew 9:13). We are not called because of our goodness or because we deserve to be called, but because we need to change! The Bible plainly states that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). In spite of the message of the old Protestant hymn, a person is not called to remain “just as I am.” We are called to repent and change, to grow and overcome and to learn to live by the laws of God—for a truly awesome purpose that is outlined in numerous scriptural passages.
Jesus told His called disciples they were given spiritual understanding not available to other people—not even to others who professed belief in God. When asked by His disciples why He spoke in parables, Jesus answered: “Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, but to them [other Jews of that day] it has not been given” (Matthew 13:10–11). Jesus then quoted Old Testament prophecies that indicate people who are not called will not see or understand what His called disciples would understand (Matthew 13:12–16). The parable of the sower warns about taking a calling for granted, about giving up on our calling during trials and letting the cares of this world distract us from our calling (Matthew 13:18–23). Jesus told the disciples He had already called “unless you are converted… you will by no means enter the kingdom of God” (Matthew 18:3), revealing that a calling is not synonymous with conversion. Jesus also cautioned, “many are called, but few are chosen” (Matthew 20:16). In essence, He said a calling does not mean that a person will automatically be in the Kingdom of God!
In the book of John, Jesus makes another surprising observation about a calling. He states that “no one can come to Me unless the Father draws [calls] him” (John 6:44, 65). In other words, in spite of what people are told today, you cannot become a real Christian just by attending the church of your choice. A calling is not just a matter of deciding to give your heart to the Lord. God must first call you—and understanding must be granted to you! Jesus then launches into a very spiritual discussion that many of His disciples did not understand (see John 6:60). Those that did not comprehend simply ceased to follow Him (vv. 63–66). This means that while people may sincerely believe in God, if their minds have not been opened to grasp the plan of God and the mysteries of the Kingdom of God, they are not being called right now. Millions of professing Christians and people believe in God. But if they reject the Truth—that Christmas is a pagan invention and an offense against God, that going to heaven is not the reward of a Christian, that God is not a Trinity, that the Holy Spirit is not a person and that the Sabbath and the Holy Days should be observed by Christ’s followers today—they simply have not been called. A calling, which God grants for a specific reason, is a very special invitation by God to understand His plan and the purpose of human life.
Remarkable as it may seem, Jesus did not go running after followers who did not understand His message to try to get them to change their minds—so they could be saved! Jesus knew that God was calling those who were given to Him and that others were simply not being called at that time. Other scriptures reveal that their calling— their opportunity to understand—would be at a later date.
Paul’s Perspective
The Apostle Paul was inspired to reveal additional details about a calling. He explains 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). He explains that in God’s plan of salvation He predestined (or predetermined) to call an initial group of people who would be justified by Christ’s sacrifice to become glorified spirit beings as the firstfruits in God’s kingdom (Romans 8:23–30). Paul shows that if we accept that calling and are willing to be led by God’s Spirit (following what God opens our minds to understand) we will have the opportunity to become “heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ” (Romans 8:14–17). That is an awesome opportunity, as we will see!
Paul goes on to emphasize that one must respond to the gospel preached by God’s true ministers—ministers “sent” by God (Romans 10:13-15). “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things!” (v. 15). Only those who “call on Him,” believe the gospel and act on it will be saved.
Paul also explains that God is calling an “elect” (Romans 11:5) but that his own countrymen, although they believed in God, were temporarily blinded from fully understanding the plan of God because they did not believe Jesus Christ was the Messiah (Romans 11:8–25). Paul explains that while their calling (to be the chosen people of God) is irrevocable, they are currently in a state of disobedience, in contrast to the elect who are being called now (Romans 11:28–32) to learn to live by every word of God.
Paul wrote to the Corinthians that “you see your calling brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many noble are called” (1 Corinthians 1:26–27). God is only calling those who are humble enough to follow His instructions as recorded in His word—the Bible. God is not able to work with people who like to argue over the Scriptures or who want to interpret the Bible according to their own feelings. Paul repeats Jesus’ words that the Holy Spirit imparts special spiritual understanding of the mysteries of God to those who are called—understanding not available to others in the world at this time (1 Corinthians 2). This is a key aspect of a calling from God. If you can clearly see what the Bible reveals as the plan of God—if the gospel of the Kingdom of God makes sense to you—you have tangible proof that you have received a calling from God! The question is what are you doing with that calling? We are also told in Scripture that God gives His Spirit to those who obey Him (Acts 5:32; John 14:14–15). This means that if we begin to compromise the truth of God, argue with the Scriptures and follow our own ideas we will begin to lose the discernment that God’s Spirit imparts (2 Timothy 1:6–7). We could then be deceived, and we could lose out on our calling!
Paul’s writings also discuss other aspects of a calling. He told the Corinthians who were called but were still in slavery or had an unconverted mate, “let each one remain in the same calling in which he was called” (1 Corinthians 7:20). A person called as a slave might seek freedom (v. 21), but freedom in itself is not the chief goal for a true Christian. We are not called to change the world now—that will come in the future—we are called now to change ourselves! The main purpose for our calling is to learn to live by the commandments of God (v. 19). Paul urges the Ephesians to “walk worthy of your calling” in humility, gentleness, patience and love (Ephesians 4:1). He explains we are called into one unified body and one faith—not into many different groups and versions of the truth (Ephesians 4:3–6). He warns called Ephesians not to be deceived by returning to the works of darkness they had been called out of (Ephesians 5:1–14).
Paul similarly advises the church at Thessalonica that we have been called to holiness (1 Thessalonians 4:7). This involves learning to avoid the lusts and evils of this world (1 Thessalonians 4:1–7). If we reject living by God’s instructions we will, in essence, reject God and our calling from God! We understand that it was Paul who in Hebrews told those who were called to inherit salvation, “to give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away” (Hebrews 1:14; 2:1). Paul asked the same audience of called individuals: “How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?” (Hebrews 2:3). The Scriptures plainly reveal that a calling is not something to take lightly!
Peter’sPrinciples
The Apostle Peter reiterates many of the same points that Jesus and Paul made about a calling. Peter writes we have been called out of darkness (our former religious or irreligious background) to be a special people “to proclaim the praises of Him who called you” (1 Peter 2:9). He warns that some may stumble over the word of God (1 Peter 2:8) by getting involved in fruitless arguments or developing doubts and lose out on their calling. Peter goes on to show (as did Paul in Ephesians 5) that our calling involves learning to follow God’s instructions. We are to be subject to government, servants are to be subject to their masters, women are to be subject to their husbands, husbands are to love their wives, children are to honor their parents and we are all to be of one mind (1 Peter 2; 3). We are called to learn God’s way of life so we will be able to teach it to others—both now (1 Peter 3:15) and in the future Kingdom of God (Isaiah 30:20–21).
Peter stresses the “exceedingly great and precious promises” that we have been called to receive, promises of eternal life, a knowledge of God’s purpose for human life, to be partakers of the divine nature [become members of God’s family], and to escape the corruption [deception and depravity] that permeates this world—once our minds have been opened (2 Peter 1:1–4). Peter admonishes us to “make your calling and election sure” by adding specific qualities to our character—courage, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness and brotherly love (2 Peter 1:5–11). Peter is saying that Jesus does not do everything for us! There are things we must do to make our calling sure!
Peter also explains that those who are called will be given a “more sure word of prophecy” (KJV), so they can accomplish their mission of warning the world of events that will precede the second coming of Jesus Christ (v. 19). And he states clearly that the Scriptures are not for private interpretation (v. 20). Peter also warns that those who are called must be careful to avoid being deceived by false teachers who spread heresies, who despise authority and are self-willed, who promise freedom, yet bring people into bondage to misleading and wrong ideas (2 Peter 2:1–19). He observes that a Christian willingly returning to false teachings after being called is like a dog returning to its own vomit (v. 22). That is a strong statement, but it is how God views someone who turns away from His calling! But why is God calling a special group of people now before He calls the rest of mankind? What is the ultimate purpose of our calling?
A Calling—the Ultimate Purpose!
Some of the most exciting details of a calling are found in the writings of the Apostle John in the closing books of the Bible. John reveals that we are to be “called children of God” and that “when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is” (1 John 3:1–3). Our purpose for being called is to learn to become like God—to think as He does and to act as He does. This will require serious effort on our part (1 John 3:4). Those who accept this calling to repent and change and grow in their understanding and application of the laws of God will be given the opportunity to reign as kings and priests with Jesus Christ when He returns to establish the Kingdom of God on this earth (Revelation 1:6; 5:10; 11:15–18). Those called now are invited to become the firstfruits—a small, specially trained nucleus of individuals that God will begin to build His kingdom around (Revelation 7:1–4; 14:1–4). They will become founding members of a world ruling government that Jesus will set up in Jerusalem to bring peace and justice to this planet (Isaiah 2:2–4; 9:6–7). They will have the opportunity to teach God’s way of life to all mankind (Isaiah 2:2–4; 11:9).
But what will it take to achieve this incredible goal? Who will actually have the privilege of accompanying Jesus Christ at His return? Again the Apostle John’s inspired writings reveal the answer. In the book of Revelation we are told that Jesus will return to this earth in triumph as King of kings and Lord of lords, “and those who are with Him are called, chosen and faithful” (Revelation 17:14). As we have seen, those who are called are given special spiritual understanding that is not yet available to the rest of mankind. This understanding enables them to grasp the true purpose of human life and the overall outline of God’s plan. Those who are chosen have accepted their calling and repented and are being led by the Holy Spirit to grow and change. They have learned to live by every word of God so they can teach others. Those who are faithful will endure through the trials and temptations of this life. They will avoid being deceived by false teachers and resist being distracted and derailed by the cares of this world. They will hold on to the truth and not compromise the beliefs that God has opened their minds to understand. They will receive the reward of eternal life (1 Corinthians 15:20–22, 50–54) to rule on earth as glorified spirit beings among the very first members of God’s growing family. This is the ultimate reward for those who have been called and who remain true to that calling!
Brethren, do you see your calling? Do you really understand why you are being called? Do you grasp the incredible opportunity that you have been given—to be among the firstfruits in God’s plan? Are you determined to take advantage of that calling? As we approach the end of this age, do not take your calling lightly! Do not take for granted the unique spiritual understanding that God has granted to you! Do not let the cares of this world side track you from that remarkable calling. Do not let anyone deceive you and rob you of your crown. Make your calling and election sure by developing the knowledge, character and skills that God will be able to use in the years just ahead. You have been called to share an awesome reward—the opportunity to play a major role in setting up the Kingdom of God on this earth. Do not miss out on the special invitation God has offered to you! Now is time to ponder the question “What are you doing with your calling?”