FOUR
CALLS
1
Samuel 3:1-21
1 Samuel
3:1: “The boy Samuel ministered before
the Lord under Eli. In those days the
word of the Lord was rare; there were not many visions.”
Samuel heard God’s calling as a
small boy serving Eli the priest. A
grown-up prophet, Samuel admits that “in those days the word of the
Lord was rare.” (See lesson linked below
to learn God’s message to Samuel, and much more).
It’s cool to hear from God. “How may I serve You today, Lord?” will
definitely elicit a spiritual—or a Scriptural response. But what every believer should know is that
God calls people four specific ways. First,
God calls people to salvation.
“For God so loved the world that He
gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish but
have eternal life.” (John 3:16). God’s first call is to invite people into His
family. People were created in God’s
image in order for Him to enjoy relationship with us. Jesus died so that people’s sins could be forgiven
and reconcile us to our heavenly Father.
Belief in Jesus offers believers salvation—or eternal life.
Believers are adopted sons and
daughters of God. His gift of the
indwelling Holy Spirit goes to work immediately. This brings God’s second call to sanctification. The Spirit’s work transforms believers into a
close resemblance to Jesus. Minds and
hearts are softened, tweaked and pruned into Christlikeness. We’re set apart from the world. God’s kids are special. Holy.
The first two of God’s calling to believers
are entwined. Saved people are set apart
from the world for God’s third
calling of service. Kngdom work includes spreading the good news
of salvation through belief in Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 2:10 spells out believer’s service: “For we are God’s workmanship, created in
Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to
do.”
God has specific and important tasks
for His kids to complete. His Spirit
supplies everything we need—including supernatural strength. If you don’t know what task you’re assigned,
ask God.
Take
Home Nugget
God’s
fourth call is to each person—believers and unbelievers—that we all must stand
before God and give account for our lives. Words and deeds will be judged. Some people will be rewarded. (Matthew 12:36, 16:27). Romans 8:1 promises, “There is no
condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”
BUT:
“He will
put the sheep on His right and the goats on His left.” …“Then He will say to
those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, you who are cursed,
into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.’” (Matthew 25:33, 41).
Hear,
O hear, for the Lord your God is calling.
J.D.
Griffith
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