The concept of the "Call of God" to humanity is a profound theme woven throughout the Scriptures, signifying a divine invitation to a life of holiness, purpose, and service. This call is not merely an invitation to belief but a summons to a higher standard of living, reflecting God's holiness and purposes.

Divine Origin and Purpose

The call of God originates from His sovereign will and purpose. It is an expression of His desire to bring individuals into a relationship with Himself and to fulfill His redemptive plan for humanity. In Isaiah 55:8-9 , God declares, "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways... As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts." This passage underscores the transcendent nature of God's call, which elevates human life to align with His divine purposes.

A Call to Holiness

Central to the call of God is the call to holiness. In 1 Peter 1:15-16 , believers are exhorted, "But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: 'Be holy, because I am holy.'" This call to holiness is a call to reflect God's character in every aspect of life, setting believers apart from the world and dedicating them to God's service.

A Call to Service and Mission

The call of God also encompasses a call to service and mission. In Matthew 28:19-20 , Jesus commissions His followers, saying, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you." This Great Commission highlights the high calling to participate in God's mission, spreading the Gospel and making disciples.

A Call to Suffering and Sacrifice

The call of God often involves a call to suffering and sacrifice. In Philippians 1:29 , Paul writes, "For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for Him." This aspect of the call challenges believers to endure hardships for the sake of Christ, recognizing that suffering is part of the Christian journey and a means of sharing in Christ's sufferings.

A Call to Eternal Life

Ultimately, the call of God is a call to eternal life. In 1 Timothy 6:12 , Paul urges Timothy to "fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses." This call to eternal life is the culmination of God's redemptive work, offering believers the hope of eternal fellowship with Him.

Response to the Call

The response to God's call requires faith, obedience, and a willingness to forsake all for the sake of Christ. In Matthew 16:24 , Jesus instructs, "If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me." This response involves a radical reorientation of life, prioritizing God's will above personal desires and ambitions.

Conclusion

The call of God to man is indeed high, encompassing holiness, service, sacrifice, and the promise of eternal life. It is a call that demands a wholehearted response, transforming lives and aligning them with God's eternal purposes.Philippians 3:14
I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

The Call of Moses
... up, and so I should like to take the call of Moses ... You remember when God met Moses
at the burning bush and called him to do as great a work as any man has ever ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/men of the bible/ii the call of moses.htm

Prayer Essential to God
... "Then shalt thou call, and the Lord ... Nothing is more important to God than prayer
in dealing with mankind. But it is likewise all-important to man to pray. ...
/.../bounds/the weapon of prayer/i prayer essential to god.htm

A Call to Holy Living
... privilege and the honor of a child of God is great ... that vaunting of valor which leaves
a man afraid of ... blush for the conduct of those who call themselves their ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 18 1872/a call to holy living.htm

Prayer --Fills Man's Poverty with God's Riches
... the mightiest work, the divinest work which man can do. ... poured out my soul before
the Lord." God's serious promise to the Jews was, "Then shall ye call upon me ...
/.../bounds/the reality of prayer/ii prayerfills mans poverty with.htm

High Priest
... But I will say, in the authority of the word of God, that the man who diligently ...
and still he insists in holding his sacerdotal office and call himself a ...
/.../conversion of a high priest into a christian worker/chapter iv high priest.htm

Effectual Calling
... A man remaining in the filth and rubbish of nature, is no more fit for heaven, than
a dead man is fit to inherit an estate. ... God does so call as to draw ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a divine cordial/effectual calling.htm

A Man Expects to Reap the Same Kind as He Sows.
... Nathan was sent across his path, and, young man, Nathan will appear to you some
day. ... My friend, why not call on God now as David did when he came to himself ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/sowing and reaping/chapter iv a man expects.htm

The Preacher as a Man of God.
... commencement of a preacher's career there must be a call to the ... must be preceded
by private life with God; unless God has first spoken to a man, it is ...
/.../stalker/the preacher and his models/lecture ii the preacher as.htm

Entire Sanctification in Patriarchal Times.
... He obeyed the call, and this typifies conversion ... offices, it is impossible not to
regard him as a holy man. ... He was made like unto the Son of God, and the Son of ...
/.../clark/the theology of holiness/chapter iii entire sanctification in.htm

He Restoreth My Soul.
... at any time, we really turn away from God and break ... The native perversity of nature
in a normal man can never ... and our ears attuned to the voice and call of our ...
/.../callan/the shepherd of my soul/v he restoreth my soul.htm

What does it mean to call upon the name of the Lord? | GotQuestions.org

What is the effectual calling/call? | GotQuestions.org

How can I know if I have received a call to ministry? | GotQuestions.org

Call: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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