C a l l i n g

1. Calling as identity

Calling operates from a state of "being". We are called to be the image of Christ. That is our calling as believers.

The apostle Paul said in Romans 8:

29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren

30 and whom He predestined, these He also called; and whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.

This is classically known as the "ordo salutis", or the order of salvation. God in His foreknowledge know all things from the beginning to the end, including salvation. In His foreknowledge He predestines, or predetermines whom He will save. Those whom He predestines, He is determined to make into the image of His most precious Son, Jesus Christ. Those who are saved will be His brothers and sisters.

These same people who are predestined are called. God must first call people to life. Jesus Christ spoke to Lazarus who was dead, and Lazarus was quickened to life and walked out of the grave! In like manner, people must first be born again of the Spirit of God (this is not salvation, but a quickening to receive salvation) so that they may hear the call and respond to God. The last time I checked the grave yard and yelled at the graves, not one body was stirred and got up.

God must breathe life in someone's spirit in order for them to be justified, which is the act of God in declaring a guilty party just on the merits of another party. In our case, on the merits of the ministry and work of Jesus Christ are we declared just. It is not as if we have never sinned but rather that God looks upon Jesus Christ and His provision of righteousness given to us by faith through grace and declares us to be just in His sight.

Calling then has to do with the whole process of initiation into the Kingdom of God. It is part of the order and process of salvation.

As an apostolic people we understand calling to be two fold. On the one hand calling is the activity of God of calling out of darkness into His marvelous light those people whom He is drawing into His Kingdom. This type of calling has to do with the personal salvation of people and what their identity is in Christ.

A. My Identity In Christ

Satan's Lie

God's Truth

You are a sinner because you sometimes sin.

You are a saint,who sometimes sins, one declared righteous by God.

You get your identity from what you have done.

You get your identity from what God has done for you.

You get your identity from what people say about you.

You get your identity from what God says about you.

Your behaviour tells you what to believe about yourself.

Your belief about yourself determines your behaviour.

(Adapted from "Resolving Spiritual Conflicts and Cross-Cultural Ministry by Dr. Timothy Warner)

 

"Understanding your identity in Christ is absolutely essential to your success at living the victorious Christian life!"

 

B. Who am I?

I am accepted…

John 1:12

I am God's child.

John 15:15

I am Christ's friend.

Rom. 5:1

I have been justified.

1 Cor. 6:17

I am united with the Lord, and I am one spirit with Him.

1 Cor. 6:19,2

I have been bought with a price. I belong to God.

1 Cor. 12:27

I am a member of Christ's body.

Eph. 1:1

I am a saint.

Eph. 1:5

I have been adopted as God's child.

Eph. 2:18

I have direct access to God through the Holy Spirit.

Col. 1:14

I have been redeemed and forgiven of all my sins.

Col. 2:10

I am complete in Christ.

I am secure…

Rom. 8:1,2

I am free forever from condemnation.

Rom. 8:28

I am assured that all things work together for good.

Rom. 8:31f

I am free from any condemning charges against me.

Rom. 8:35f

I cannot be separated from the love of God.

2 Cor. 1:21, 22

I have been established, anointed, and sealed by God.

Col. 3:3

I am hidden with Christ in God.

Phil. 1:6

I am confident that the good work that God has begun in me will be perfected.

Phil. 3:20

I am a citizen of heaven.

2 Tim. 1:7

I have not been given a spirit of fear but of power, love, and a sound mind.

Heb. 4:16

I can find grace and mercy in time of need.

1 John 5:18

I am born of God, and the evil one cannot touch me.

I am significant…

Matt. 5:13,14

I am the salt and light of the earth.

John 15:1,5

I am a branch of the true vine, a channel of His life.

John 15:16

I have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit.

Acts 1:8

I am a personal witness of Christ's.

1 Cor. 3:16

I am God's temple.

2 Cor. 5:17f

I am a minister of reconciliation for God.

2 Cor. 6:1

I am God's co-worker (1 Cor. 3:9).

Eph. 2:6

I am sealed with Christ in the heavenly realm.

Eph. 3:12

I may approach God with freedom and confidence.

Phil. 4:13

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

(From "Living Free in Christ" by Dr. Neil Anderson)

 

"The more you reaffirm who you are in Christ, the more your behaviour will begin to reflect your true identity!"

 (From "Victory Over The Darkness" by Dr. Neil Anderson)

2. Calling as ministry

The second aspect of "being" in regards to calling is to identify that we are called to be conformed to the image of Christ. Likewise we are to have released in us His Spirit and His grace gifts to fulfill this aspect of calling.

This aspect of calling has to do with the extended purpose of the calling. People are saved and redeemed for a purpose. The New Testament declares that we are "as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrificesacceptable to God through Jesus Christ...But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light (1 Peter 2:5, 9).

In the sencond sense then, we are called to proclaim, or we are called to some kind of action and activity of the Spirit. God places in our hearts a destiny that He desires to fulfill. He desires to live His life in and through us. In this then we are called out, and equipped with supernatural gifts (Rom. 12, I Cor. 12, and Eph. 4) in order to fulfill the destiny Christ has for us. All this is done through an intimate relationship with Christ Jesus. In the intimate place we minister to God, and in that same place we are renewed, strengthened and empowered to ministry, and this is our calling.

< Back to Vision, Mission & Action

Welcome Page | About Us | Vision, Mission & Action | Our Beliefs & Affiliations | Email Discussion Groups | House Church & Articles | Teachings | Important Links & Ministries | Know God?