To Be Called


I've joined a small group of guys to study the book of Ephesians together and even after our first zoom meeting, it has been such a blessing to gather around the word, and have people to dialogue with rather than trying to always navigate or figure it out in my head alone. The church is the body of Christ, meant to be in fellowship with one another, sharpening and pointing one another back to God through his Word.

One of our discussion questions really caught my eye this week - What does it mean to be called by God? 

The doctrine of election continues to be highlighted more and more to me as I read through God's Word. Ephesians 1:4-5 says that before the foundation of the world, God predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in v. 18, Paul prays that we may know the hope to which he has called you. Romans 8:30 says that those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he justified; those he justified, he also glorified. 1 Peter 2 tells us that we are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, Deuteronomy 14:2, God tells the people of Israel that he has chosen them to be his treasured possession. 

To be called by God tells us that we have and had no hand in it. This happened before the foundation of creation - it is not because we were lovely, desirable or did anything to merit this appointing. To be called by God is very intentional and purposeful, not random or by chance. 

It brought me back to my elementary school days when the social realm of life was all consuming. Be it when you are chosen in gym class to be on a certain team, or having your name called out in the midst of the whole class during lunch break (mind you, there were several Jasons in my classes and it was very rarely I they were calling for) or calling out for a lost child at the mall. Everyone, child or adult, has a deep seated desire to be wanted and to be loved. 

Such a call is incredibly specific. A call for you is for you. No one else; you are the objective, and when a holy, loving, compassionate God calls you, he wants you. Remember, we have no hand in this and it is not by works, personality, status, wealth, gifts or skills that you were chosen. Those God chooses were chosen undeservingly. When the scriptures tell us that you were chosen before the foundation of the world, YOU were chosen, by the God of the Universe, to become his child, to know and be known, and to possess a glorious inheritance and living hope in God. 

Take a moment to ponder that. Isn't that just amazing? Are you one of God's chosen people? 

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