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“I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called” (Ephesians 4:1.)
Introduction
We have all said at some time, “The day I decided to follow Jesus” In fact Christ chose us long before we responded to His call. “The vocation wherewith ye are called” can read “the calling wherewith ye are called.” In this study we will look briefly at what this calling means.
Our Vocation in Life
What does “vocation” mean? Simply put, in context with Ephesians 4:1, it refers to our position in Christ. The Holy Spirit called us to Christ; therefore it is the Christian’s lifelong vocation to follow the Lord. This is what the following Scriptures teach:-
* Believers are “called to be saints” (1 Corinthians 1:2.)
* Believers should “give all diligence to make [our] calling and election sure” (2 Peter
1:10.)
* Believers have a “high calling of God in Christ” (Philippians 3:14.)
* Believers are called “with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose, and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began” (2 Timothy 1:9.)
* Believers are “partakers of the heavenly calling” (Hebrews 3:1.)
* Believers are under God’s protection … “We know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28.)
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We did not simply choose to become Christians, instead we responded to the Lord’s invitation and urgent appeal. Therefore, we agreed with God’s will at the time the Holy Spirit was moving upon our hearts. The Holy Spirit draws sinners to Christ, but they must choose to accept the invitation to be saved. This is the “calling” we are referring to, and which the Bible emphasises:-
* “No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day” (John 6:44.)
* “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit” (John 15:16.)
* “Moreover whom He did predestinate, them He also called: and whom He called, them He also justified: and whom He justified, them He also glorified” (Romans 8:30.)
Calling and Faith
God called us to Christ, but we had to respond with faith. Though the “calling” is from God, it does not become a reality in our souls until we exercise faith towards Him. This does not mean that the “calling” is nullified if it is rejected, but that it does not become effective until it is accepted. The majority of people will reject Christ’s invitation, yet the glory of the “calling” can never be diminished.
Scripture does not teach that God forces anyone to become a believer, nor does it teach that we were “made” Christians before the world began; it simply states that we were called to follow Christ as our Saviour. This “calling” was designed in eternity past according to God’s own will, but only through faith can its glory shine in our hearts. The offer, God’s free and unmerited gift of salvation in Christ, must be received by personal faith. Nevertheless, we must remember that He called and chose us first … “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8.)
Conclusion
Our vocation is the follow the One the Holy Spirit called us to. What has He called us to? Did He choose us to make up the numbers or to life holy in Christ Jesus? Paul says, “Walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called.” Therefore, we are called to walk worthy. If we are not walking worthy then we must question if we have truly responded to God’s call.