Encouraging Word
Ephesians 4:1 says, “…I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.” Throughout Scripture, reference is made to God’s call. The word call means a summons or to attract someone’s attention; an attempt to reach someone.
The Biblical meaning refers to God’s initiative to bring people to Christ and to participate in His redemptive work in the world. It is also inviting us to take a certain action or make a specific decision. There are three parts to a call: the one making the call, the call or message sent, and the one receiving the call. To receive the call, one must “hear” the call and then “respond” to the call. I believe God’s call comes in four stages:
1. Call to Repentance
2. Call to Salvation
3. Call to Sanctification
4. Call to Service
Call to Repentance. Repentance is Godly sorrow (2 Corinthians 7:10). It is sincere regret or remorse, turning from sinful ways and towards God. Repentance comes when we yield to the Holy Spirit’s conviction (John 16:7-8). In Mark 1:15, Jesus says to repent and believe in the Gospel. You must acknowledge you’re a sinner before you recognize the need for a Savior!
Call to Salvation. Salvation is deliverance from sin and its consequences brought about by saving faith in Jesus Christ. John 3:16 sums it up very well. God’s desire is that mankind be saved. 2 Peter 3:9 says that God is not willing that any should perish but for all to come to repentance. And Romans 10:13 says, “for, everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Call to Sanctification. Sanctification is making or declaring something holy. It is the action or process of being freed from sin and refers to being “called out” and “set apart” for Godly service. God needs to do a work “in us” before He can do a work “through us.” 1 Thessalonians 5:23 says, “May God Himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through…” And 1 Thessalonians 4:3 says, “It is God’s will that you should be sanctified…”
Call to Service. Service is to perform duties or services for another and to address the needs of others. We are called to serve, not to be served. Ephesians 4:12 says, “to equip His people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.”
Answer God’s call – He is waiting!
-Tony Cooper
Director Emeritus of The Jimmie Hale Mission
