Called

October 16, 2022

Called

Though there are an endless number of opportunities available to us on a given day, only those that gain our attention and response will ever affect our lives in any way. This is the mission of the advertiser or marketer, to design a method of calling out to our senses in a way that will effectively engage us in their venture and make us part of it. For the vast majority of these projects, however, no connection is ever made simply because their message never gets close enough to be heard. It is only when proximity to a call allows for it to be taken and given full attention that its potential can influence and affect a life with its purpose. The calls, then, that are the nearest will have the greatest impact.

What Jesus came to give us is the greatest opportunity of not just a lifetime, but an eternity. It is life that can light up every step with hope and purpose. It is really what every heart has a deep desire for, and yet there are many who never even hear the call that is going out to be transformed by it. While the world makes many demands for compliance with its opportunities, this gift is a free one that will transform every aspect of life with its newness. And yet, many are kept from it by a fixation on an old way that prohibits its call from ever being heard. Through the sacrifice of His own body, Jesus has made it possible for us to get very close to where that call has been made, close enough to hear, respond, and leave the darkness of doubt, discouragement, and defeat for His triumphant, victorious, and marvelous light. A walk in newness of life awaits those who rise in the hearing of His call to access all that is there in Him.

Notes

Jesus’ call mirrored that of John

Matthew 4:17 (NKJV) 17 From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

Repentance – turning from the world to God

James 4:8 (TLB) 8 And when you draw close to God, God will draw close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and let your hearts be filled with God alone to make them pure and true to him.

In baptism, there is a response to the call for newness of life

Romans 6:3-4 (NKJV) 3 Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

Peter’s call for repentance/baptism as preparation to receive the Holy Spirit

Acts 2:38 (NKJV) 38 Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Called out of darkness to light

1 Peter 2:9 (NLT) 9 But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light

Response to His call of separation prepares for His residence as Father

2 Corinthians 6:14-18 (TLB) 14 Don’t be teamed with those who do not love the Lord, for what do the people of God have in common with the people of sin? How can light live with darkness? 15 And what harmony can there be between Christ and the devil? How can a Christian be a partner with one who doesn’t believe? 16 And what union can there be between God’s temple and idols? For you are God’s temple, the home of the living God, and God has said of you, “I will live in them and walk among them, and I will be their God and they shall be my people.” 17 That is why the Lord has said, “Leave them; separate yourselves from them; don’t touch their filthy things, and I will welcome you 18 and be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters.”

Overview:

  • There is a call from the Father to prepare for His kingdom by turning from the world to Him.
  • It’s in drawing close to God that it is possible to be cleansed by Him and ready for His residence.
  • In baptism, there is an outward commitment to an inward death to the world and new life in Christ.
  • The response to His call to repent and be baptized opens the door to more calling.
  • We’ve all been called out of all that is dark to show the world His light through our own life.
  • Who we are near to determines who’s called is heeded – must be separate from the world to hear the Father’s calls.

Prayer:

Father, I’m so grateful for the passion in Your call to turn from the world and live the life You’ve provided for me in Christ. I repent from choosing nearness to the world and commit my heart, mind, and body to drawing close to You where I desire to hear and respond to Your every call for my life.

Declarations:

  • I’ve been invited to let go of any darkness and join the Father in the light of His love.
  • As I respond to His call and draw close to His side, I rise from bondage to sin and death to walk freely in newness of life.
  • By honoring His call to be near, He prepares me there as His continual residence for His glory.
  • In the light of His presence, I am enabled to show His goodness and be called by His name.
  • With every response to His call, there is a door opened to a higher call.