Knowing God through His Word — Part 19
I grew up in churches where the congregation repeatedly sang the haunting hymn
Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling,
Calling for you and for me;
See, on the portals he’s waiting and watching,
Watching for you and for me.
I loved the melody and the friendly thought of Jesus calling me to come, but I didn’t understand it. In the depths of my spirit, I always sensed that He was calling us into His arms of love. But on more practical, concrete levels, I misunderstood and ignored His voice. As a child, being “called” was my mother’s voice ringing through the house or out our across the yard saying, “Supper time. Wash your hands!”
As a teenager, reading about future careers, I saw a “calling” as self-fulfillment and not settling for a boring job. In my twenties, I felt “called” to be a wife and mother. In my thirties and forties, I finally heard Jesus’ call and answered Him by immersing myself in a mixed charismatic/evangelical culture. There I learned that “a calling” was a summons from God to a full time function in the Body of Christ, like being a pastor or a missionary.
When I think of Jesus call to day, it is personal, expansive and unending. As I sit at the computer and write, He is calling me to look into His eyes, to rest, to trust and to receive His love—this moment. I am still learning about God’s call to me. The Scriptures below have all taught me and brought me closer to Him. I hope you’ll read them and let them soak into your spirit and hear the one or two that speak to your heart now. Hear how God’s love is calling out to you today.
The Master is come, and is calling for you. . . John 11:28
WHO DOES JESUS CALL?
He calls the children and calls us to childlikeness.
But Jesus called the children to Himself, and said, Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it. Luke 18:16
He calls the poor, the needy.
Call [invite] the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind and you will be blessed because they cannot repay you. Luke 14:13
He calls the humble, the weak and foolish.
Consider your calling— not many of you were wise, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth, but God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak to shame the strong, God chose what is lowly and despised. . .so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. 1Corinthians 1:26-30 adapted
He calls sinners.
I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. Luke 5:32
He calls all who thirst for His love.
And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely. Revelation 22:17 NKJV
WHAT DOES HE CALL US TO DO?
He calls us to listen and understand.
He called the people to Him again and said to them, Hear me all of you and understand. Mark 7:14
He calls us to follow Him.
He called to him the crowd with his disciples and said to them, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. Mark 8:34
He calls us to do His will and practice love.
And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction. Matthew 10:1
WHY DOES HE CALL US?
He calls us for His own purpose.
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28
He calls us to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Repent and be baptized. . . . in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for you children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself. Acts 2:38-39
He calls us into His own family.
They will be called ‘sons of the living God.’ Romans 9:26
He calls us into the one body of His Son.
There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call. (Eph. 4:4) And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. Colossians 3:15
He calls us to be justified and glorified.
. . . and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified, he also glorified. Romans 8:30
WHAT IS THE NATURE OF HIS CALL?
His call is sure.
For the gifts and calling of God are irrevocable. Romans 11:29
His call is upward.
I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:14
He calls us in holiness.
For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness. 1 Thessalonians 4:7
He calls us to the hope of a glorious inheritance.
You may know the hope to which He has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints. Ephesians 1:18
WHERE DOES HE CALL US?
He calls us into the grace of Christ.
[He]. . .called you in the grace of Christ. . .Galatians 1:6
He calls us into freedom.
For you were called to freedom. Galatians 5:13
He calls us to peace.
God has called you to peace. 1Corinthians 7:15
He calls us into His Kingdom and glory.
Walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory. 1Thessalonians 2:12
Help us, Lord, to hear all Your calls and to come to you. Help us to walk worthy of the callings to which You call us.
