If we look at 2 Timothy 1:9 it says God who has 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 to us in Christ Jesus before time began. That means again that not only has He saved us but He has called us and our calling is holy, therefore we shouldn’t take it for granted.
More than anything this is an indication of how special we are to God – Isaiah 43:1 But now, thus says the LORD, who created you, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine.”
Look at Galatians 1:15 “But even before I was born, God chose me and called me by his marvelous grace. Then it pleased him.” And in Jeremiah 1:5,He tells the prophet, “I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born, I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations.”
YOU are not an accident or a fluke, YOU are not here by chance YOU are not here without a purpose YOU are here because YOU have a purpose and that’s because God has specifically chosen YOU. 1 Peter 2:9 says, “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” And then again 1 Thess 1:4 tells us, “For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you.” Here’s another one in John 15:16 “You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name.”
Let’s look at some examples of people called in the Bible :
NOAH – God told him to build an ark(Genesis 6:14).
ABRAHAM – (Genesis 12:1-3) God told him to leave his country and go to the land He would lead him to.
JOSEPH – (Genesis 41:37-44) ended up as a high ranking government official in a foreign country.
MOSES – (Exodus 3:10) God chose him to lead to lead the Israelites out of Egypt.
ESTHER – (Esther 4:14) God raised her up to a position of influence that would help her people.
Jesus called the disciples (tax collectors, fishermen etc)– not only to follow him but also to preach the gospel and fulfil their individual callings as well – of Peter he said And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.(Matt 16:18). Paul – persecutor of the church became one of the most prolific contributors to the New Testament.
Now that we’ve established, He has a purpose how do we make sure we walk in it? Check out the next post ….