Topical Bible: The Call of God: To Man Is of Grace

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Topical Encyclopedia

The concept of the call of God to man is a profound theme woven throughout the Scriptures, emphasizing the divine initiative and grace inherent in God's outreach to humanity. This call is not based on human merit or effort but is a manifestation of God's unmerited favor and sovereign will.

Divine Initiative and Sovereignty

The call of God is rooted in His sovereign will and purpose. In Ephesians 1:4-5 , it is written, "For He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless in His presence. In love He predestined us for adoption as His sons through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of His will." This passage underscores that God's call is an expression of His eternal plan, initiated by His love and grace.

Grace as the Foundation

The call of God is fundamentally an act of grace. In 2 Timothy 1:9 , Paul writes, "He has saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works, but by His own purpose and by the grace He granted us in Christ Jesus before time began." This highlights that the call is not contingent upon human deeds but is a gift of grace, bestowed through Christ.

The Call to Salvation

Central to the call of God is the invitation to salvation. Romans 8:30 states, "And those He predestined, He also called; those He called, He also justified; those He justified, He also glorified." This sequence illustrates the transformative journey initiated by God's call, leading to justification and eventual glorification, all grounded in His grace.

The Call to Holiness and Service

Beyond salvation, God's call extends to a life of holiness and service. 1 Peter 1:15-16 exhorts, "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 response to God's grace, urging believers to reflect His character in their lives.

Moreover, the call includes service and the fulfillment of God's purposes. Ephesians 2:10 declares, "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance as our way of life." Here, the call to service is seen as a divinely ordained path, prepared by God for each believer.

The Universal and Personal Nature of the Call

While the call of God is universal, extending to all humanity, it is also deeply personal. Jesus' invitation in Matthew 11:28 exemplifies this: "Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." This personal call invites individuals to experience the rest and peace found in Christ, highlighting the intimate nature of God's outreach.

Response to the Call

The call of God requires a response, as seen in Revelation 3:20 : "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and dine with him, and he with Me." This imagery of Christ knocking at the door of one's heart illustrates the necessity of a willing response to His gracious invitation.

Conclusion

The call of God to man is a testament to His grace, inviting individuals into a relationship with Him, a life of holiness, and service. It is a divine initiative that transcends human merit, rooted in God's eternal purpose and love.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Galatians 1:15
But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace,
Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Timothy 1:9
Who has saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Greek

4102. pistis -- faith, faithfulness
... count it done,’ but is the deep consciousness divinely imparted to the heart of
man that it ... what a mistake to take our belief in God and call of faith ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4102.htm - 18k

Library

On the Vocation of Sinners to Communion with Christ, and to a ...
... Those who are obedient to the vocation or call of God, freely yield ... In the very
commencement of his conversion, man conducts himself in a purely passive ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 2/on the vocation of sinners.htm

Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners.
... shore of a lake, he awoke from his slumber, and began to call upon God ... I met him
he had been nine-and-a-half years a sober man. ... God had kept him all those years ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/moody/sovereign grace/chapter iv grace abounding to.htm

The Grace of God through Jesus Christ. "
... to prevail against sin, and (3.) lastly, a man furnished with a ... to live, in reality,
the life of God, with pleasure ... says that he came not to call to repentance ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 2/the grace of god through.htm

God's Will and Man's Will
... of the universe, as certainly as God's will is ... mercy, calling whom he chooses to
call, quickening whom he wills, and fulfilling, despite man's hardness of ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 8 1863/gods will and mans will.htm

Effectual Calling
... (iii.) It is an irresistible call. When God calls a man by His grace, he cannot
but come. You may resist the minister's call, but you cannot the Spirit's call. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a divine cordial/effectual calling.htm

A Free Grace Promise
... you have been unchaste and have become entangled in vicious connections; call upon
God, and he ... with the great sword of his grace, and make you a free man. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 35 1889/a free grace promise.htm

[Shewing] that Common and Saving Grace Differ, not Only in Degree ...
... hear the voice," and immediately after the call they are ... in the heart, can't be produced
in man by mere ... Grace must be the immediate work of God, and properly a ...
/.../edwards/treatise on grace/shewing that common and saving.htm

The Corruption of Man, his Conversion to God, and the Manner ...
... who are called by the gospel obey the call and are ... is not only actuated and influenced
by God, but in ... Wherefore also man himself is rightly said to believe and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/anonymous/synod of dort/the corruption of man his.htm

How Holy Charity Produces the Love of Our Neighbour.
... love, that he makes no difficulty to call himself our father, and to call us his ...
Theotimus, to love our neighbour in charity is to love God in man, or man ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter xi how holy charity.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