Alan Fong
3 min read
Alan Fong
3 min read
Alan Fong
3 min read
The High Calling of God
Today’s Verse:
I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. ~Philippians 3:14
One of the most powerful phrases in the Bible is our devotion for this morning: "the high calling of God." A calling is a summons to something important, noble, and vital. In many cases, we associate a calling with an occupation or our life commitment. Let us see this morning what “the high calling of God” means.
There is the call to salvation.
The high calling of God begins with the call to be saved. God "will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth." He is “not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” He calls sinners to be saved through gospel preaching. He calls men to be saved through the personal witness of a Christian. He calls men to be saved through gospel literature. “The Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that published it.” The Lord calls men to be saved through life circumstances: the birth of a baby, sickness, the death of a loved one, times of difficulty, and trials. God wants all men to be saved.
There is the call to sanctification.
“Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Thessalonians 2:14). God’s will is that we should be holy even as He is holy. Our sanctification on earth is that we should be conformed to the image of Christ and grow more and more into the perfect man. Our sanctification in eternity is when we attain glorification and are like Him: "for we shall see him as he is." God, through His divine power, has called us to His glory and virtue. This calling is a heavenly calling. We are to make this calling and election sure.
There is the call to service.
“But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace” (Galatians 1:15). Paul celebrated his calling as an apostle, preacher, and teacher. The calling to service is a distinct calling. The calling of God on Paul was while he was in his mother’s womb. The calling to service is a dedicated calling. It is a lifetime calling that a man is to give himself to. This calling is a dependable calling. "For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance." God takes care of His servants. It is also a distributed calling. God places His servants where their usefulness is maximized for His glory.
There is the call to soulwinning.
Jesus told Peter and Andrew, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” The call to winning souls is a holy pursuit. We are to make a conscientious effort in getting the gospel to people and bringing them to the Lord. Winning souls has a holy pattern. Jesus said that we are to follow Him. We are to mimic His methods and approach. Jesus won souls everywhere, under every circumstance. Even on the cross as He was dying, a thief crucified next to Him was saved! Winning souls has a happy product. First, a sinner is snatched from the burning fire of Hell. Second, the soulwinner reaps in joy as he brings back his sheaves with rejoicing. Winning souls is being wise about the Lord’s priority. The high calling of God is a life that is getting closer and closer to the Lord, with its ultimate the attainment of His glory. Don’t neglect this calling. It is the prize at the end of the race and journey.
Have a focused God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: Revelation 4-6