Calling v. Decision

You often hear "calling" used to mean someone specifically charged, as if by divine decree, to do a certain task: "He found his calling." Or: "She was called to do this ..."

Nowadays, when a minister is hired by a congregation, it is standard practice to describe this contractual agreement as "a call." I suppose saying that the minister "received a call" gives his hiring some added gravitas, as if the paperwork came from the halls of heaven.

There is no such use of "call" in the Scriptures.

This was a revelation to me earlier in life because, like many people, I searched the Scriptures to learn how I could "discover my calling."

What I discovered was that there are no such guidelines.

"Call" in the Scriptures refers to the supernatural act of God by which someone dead in trespasses and sins is given new life in Christ. In other words, calling has to do with the act of regeneration: when God calls you, you are alive in Christ. Before that call, you were dead in sin.

Period.

The word is never used in the sense that, for example, one day I discover I was called to be an architect. Or I discover I was called to be a minister.

I was simply called to be a son of God -- called to be born anew in Christ. That is the only calling I've ever received, and ever will.

If anything, there is evidence in the Scriptures that, if when called to new life you find yourself in bad circumstances -- like being a slave -- the encouragement is to STAY in that condition to work out your calling in that environment.

The only exception of "call" applying to a specific line of work given to a specific person is in reference to the Apostle Paul. Twice Paul refers to himself as one who was "called to be an apostle" (Romans 1.1, 1 Corinthians 1.1). But ...

... we know the Apostle Paul ... the Apostle Paul is a friend of ours ... and we're no Apostle Paul.

In broad generality, "call" is limited to the calling of saints to be saints; it refers to all who are called out of death into life.

Now, much more common in the Scripture are decisions. In other words, after the new life has become active, the new person in Christ has responsibility to make decisions that move forward the interests of the kingdom of God rather than his own interests.

Because of the energy of the new life, or at least because of the presence of the new life in a person, the force of that new life pushes him or her to choose, for example, a narrower path than a broader path for the testimony and glory of God.

These are decisions made every day.

And some decisions are better than others.

Logos2Go

Romans 1.7 To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Peter 2.9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

1 Corinthians 9.16 For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for necessity is laid upon me; yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel!

1 Corinthians 7.20-22 Each one should remain in the situation which he was in when God called him. Were you a slave when you were called? Don't let it trouble you-although if you can gain your freedom, do so. For he who was a slave when he was called by the Lord is the Lord's freedman; similarly, he who was a free man when he was called is Christ's slave.