1 Corinthians 1:26-31 - "For consider your calling,
brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many
mighty, not many noble; but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to
shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the
things which are strong, and the base things of the world and the despised God
has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that
are, so that no man may boast before God. But by His doing you are in Christ
Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification,
and redemption, so that, just as it is written, “Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord.”
Consider your calling. The calling which we have is the calling to receive eternal salvation which God freely offers. The Bible is very clear that our calling has nothing to do with ourselves, but it is all of Christ. According to Scripture we are called of Jesus Christ, called as saints, called according to His purpose, called into fellowship with Jesus Christ, called to peace, called by the grace of God, called to freedom, called in hope, called in one body, called into Gods own kingdom and glory, called for the purpose of sanctification, called to eternal life, called with a holy calling, called His brethren, called children of God, and so on. That's a lot to consider, and that's just some of what the Bible has to say about our calling. But something that connects all of these is found in 2 Timothy 1:9 which says concerning the Lord Jesus - "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 granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity." In every aspect of our calling Christ is the one who accomplished it. It's not according to anything we have done but it is all bound up in Christ. That's what Paul was saying back in First Corinthians. In considering our calling we see that God chose the foolish, weak, base things of this world in order that we could not boast in ourselves but rather boast in the Lord. There is nothing special about us that God should chose to call us and use us, but He delights to do so in order that He will receive all the glory.
In 1 Peter we're told of some specific things that we were called to do. 1 Peter 2:9 says - "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light" He called us out of darkness into light, and He has called us to proclaim His excellencies.
1 Peter 2:20-23 says - "But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God. For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth; and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously." This isn't a popular message, and people who want big crowds at their churches usually avoid preaching this. God has called us to suffer, and to endure it. "You have been called for this purpose." We are to follow in the steps of Jesus, who suffered more than Him?
1 Peter 3:8-9 - "To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit; not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing."
Ephesians 4:1 - "Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called."
Consider your calling. The calling which we have is the calling to receive eternal salvation which God freely offers. The Bible is very clear that our calling has nothing to do with ourselves, but it is all of Christ. According to Scripture we are called of Jesus Christ, called as saints, called according to His purpose, called into fellowship with Jesus Christ, called to peace, called by the grace of God, called to freedom, called in hope, called in one body, called into Gods own kingdom and glory, called for the purpose of sanctification, called to eternal life, called with a holy calling, called His brethren, called children of God, and so on. That's a lot to consider, and that's just some of what the Bible has to say about our calling. But something that connects all of these is found in 2 Timothy 1:9 which says concerning the Lord Jesus - "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 granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity." In every aspect of our calling Christ is the one who accomplished it. It's not according to anything we have done but it is all bound up in Christ. That's what Paul was saying back in First Corinthians. In considering our calling we see that God chose the foolish, weak, base things of this world in order that we could not boast in ourselves but rather boast in the Lord. There is nothing special about us that God should chose to call us and use us, but He delights to do so in order that He will receive all the glory.
In 1 Peter we're told of some specific things that we were called to do. 1 Peter 2:9 says - "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light" He called us out of darkness into light, and He has called us to proclaim His excellencies.
1 Peter 2:20-23 says - "But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God. For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth; and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously." This isn't a popular message, and people who want big crowds at their churches usually avoid preaching this. God has called us to suffer, and to endure it. "You have been called for this purpose." We are to follow in the steps of Jesus, who suffered more than Him?
1 Peter 3:8-9 - "To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit; not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing."
Ephesians 4:1 - "Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called."
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