Saints by Calling

Many people in our day have misunderstood God’s calling. They consider every ‘calling’ in the New Testament to be similar to the way Jesus individually called the apostles to follow Him. With the apostles, He did indeed pick them out by name from among His followers.

Some people think that God’s omniscience, His divine quality of being all-knowing, means that no one really chooses Jesus. Rather, God has pre-chosen each follower of Jesus. After all, He knows beforehand whether you are a follower of Jesus.

The flaw in this reasoning is just that, it is human reasoning. Human reasoning is applied to things beyond creation, things beyond the scope of man’s understanding.

While it is true that there are some passages of Scripture that are difficult to explain because, on the surface, they sound like God arbitrarily chose those who would follow Jesus, they must harmonize with all other Scripture. It is apparent from many Scriptures that God does not hand-pick anyone to follow Jesus. He did not choose you or me before our birth as if to say we had no choice but to follow Jesus.

This kind of thinking is disastrous. It would say to a person who has come to faith in Jesus and who follows Jesus with all their heart that they might not be among the ones preselected. For that reason, they are doomed!

The early Christians endured mocking, “Where is the promise of His coming?” The Apostle Peter reminded his readers, “The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:3-9) That does not sound like God chose some to be saved but did not choose others. He wishes for ALL to come to repentance.

The Apostle Paul wrote that we who are Christians are saints by calling (1 Corinthians 1:2). That means that we are not saints by arbitrary choice, or individual choice, or by divine decree. It means that God has called us to be followers of Jesus. Then he leaves it up to each individual to respond to His call.

It really is as simple as an advertisement on television or that you receive in your email or that you see on a huge billboard along the highway. The advertisement is a call to everyone hearing or seeing the ad. It is an invitation to accept the offer. There may be terms to fulfill. There may be something to buy. It may be a limited time offer. Whatever the case, the offer is made and nothing is final until YOU make a decision and respond to the ad. You must answer the call.

Jesus said, “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28) He did not qualify His offer. It was extended to ALL people.

God really does want every person to turn to Him. He extends His arms of love to all. He offers forgiveness and acceptance to all. His mercy and grace are extended to us by calling.

Some people like to say that our salvation is all Jesus, that we can do nothing to receive salvation. Even the grocery store teaches us that we have to respond to the sale ad to receive the gracious benefit being offered.

God has done everything. He has provided a sacrificial Lamb as an offering for our sins. And He has called us to follow Jesus.

Saints by calling: 

   God has called.

   We must responded.

Mark Stinnett

December 22, 2024