God’s Common Call

“Moreover, whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.” ― Romans 8:30

Reading the New Testament, you see that one idea of calling has to do with becoming a Christian and living a life apart from the world. No longer drawn by the world’s song to indulge yourself and reject God, but rather to embrace God and reject the world. Many Christians spend much of their remaining new life struggling as they try to resist responding to that song. That is because our old nature longs to dance to the rhythm of the sin-filled world!

Our common calling is our call to a new life, loving God with “all”, following Jesus, living by faith, and submitting to the influence of the Spirit of God. We have been called to a new life. To live it, we have been given a new DNA.

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” – 2 Corinthians 5:17 

Some people say “I have always been a Christian”, but that is not Biblical.  We were all born into sin. Can you remember when God called you to salvation through Jesus? As a reminder, write a brief description of when and how that happened. It is important to know when you were born again, but it is not necessary to know the hour and minute.

“Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.” – Matthew 22:37

Part of the common call is to put God first.  Take a moment to consider how loving God with “All” has shaped the way you live your life.

“Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend into heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there.” – Psalm 139:7-8

When I was in grade school – maybe even high school, the teacher was in the classroom, the students were on our best behavior.  But the classroom was in chaos as soon as the teacher left the room.  Consider what the benefit might be for your life if you were constantly aware of God’s presence. What are some ways that you can keep yourself God-aware?  Always being mindful that He is always in the room.

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” –  2 Corinthians 5:17

When someone responds to God’s common call old things die and new things replace them.  What old things in your life have passed away? What things seem to persist in clinging to you? It is a common struggle – you are not alone in it.

We can’t live our new lives in isolation from other Christians.  Dr. Howard Hendricks, a professor at Dal-las Theological Seminary before his passing in 2016, once said, “Every Christian needs a Paul, a Barnabus and a Timothy in their life.  A Paul who builds into your life [a mentor], a Barnabas who will keep you ac-countable, and a Timothy into whose life you can build.”  In my experience finding those relationships is not something that you can make happen, but some-thing that will evolve through the providence of God.  Paul’s spiritual maturity must surpass yours.  That of Barnabas must be at least equal to your own.  Timothy will be someone who wants to grow in their faith and for whom you will be a Paul. 

Are there people in your life like that today?  If not, pray that the Lord will bring them your way. And then look expecting for them to show up.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone