CALLINGS

Nevertheless, each one should retain the place in life that the Lord assigned to him and to which God has called him. 1 Corinthians 7:17a

Each of us is called to relationship with God through Jesus Christ. We are called by Him, to Him, and for Him. Once we enter that relationship with Christ, we are called into the physical expression of that relationship. This is where our vocations are manifested as a result, not as an end in themselves.

All of us have been called to follow Christ and live our lives in obedience to Him. Many of us have a sense to go in one direction or another based on our life experiences and giftedness. This, too, is God's calling.

Calling goes beyond our work and includes our relationships to others: our spouses, our children, our neighbors-and our coworkers. We must remember this in order that our "work calling" does not become elevated at the expense of the other important aspects of our lives. This is the holistic approach to the gospel in which God made all of life equally important.

Therefore, the next time someone says, "I was called into the ministry" or "I am in full-time Christian work," stop him or her and tell him or her we are all in full-time Christian work. There is no secular and religious in the economy of God. I have a dear friend who often says, "I am a servant of the living God masquerading as a dentist." So, too, are you first a servant of the living God.

AS FAR AS MINISTRY IS CONCERNED, WE ARE NOT IN THE MINISTRY, THE MINISTRY IS IN US.

Then exactly what are we called to do.

A proper self image comes from knowing who you are in Him, how much God loves you and from knowing your purpose in God. If you want to know your purpose, go in faith to the one who created you; knowing that if you seek Him, you will find Him.

If you want to know the purpose of a thing, you go to the creator to find out.

If you don't know the purpose of a thing, you will abuse that thing.

(If we do not understand our purpose, abuse occurs.)

Go to God to find out your purpose. Your purpose then will propel you into your destiny. As you realize what He has put in you, you will realize how important you are to the one who created the universe. A proper self image comes from knowing how much you mean to God and through agreeing with Him.

The Callings of God

You are called to have fellowship with His Son.

1Cor 1:9 God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.

You are called to walk in the light.

1John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

You are called to live in peace. (2Co 13:11) Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.

You are called into the grace of God.

(Grace is the God given ability to do what he has purposed for us to do.)

You are called according to His purpose.

Rom 8:28-38 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. 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.

You are called unto liberty.

Gal 5:13-14 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.

For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.

You are called with a holy calling according to His purpose which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began.

2Tim 1:9 Who hath saved us, and called us 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...

You are called out of darkness into His marvelous light.

1Pet 2:9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that you should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light…

You were called to inherit a blessing.

1Pet 3:9 Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.

You were called to be a saint.

The hope of your calling is Jesus who lives in you. His glory is within you.

Eph 1:17-23

You are called into His Kingdom and Glory.

1Thess 2:12 That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.

You are called to be justified and glorified.

Rom 8:30 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.

You are called to be a vessel of mercy and grace.

Rom 9:23-24

You are called to be conformed to the image of His Son.

Just to name a few, there are many more.