Discourse on Being Called {Part 2}

{by Katrina Rebsch}

Upon my arrival home after a busy semester, with plenty of time on my hands for Bible study, I decided to dive into a study of this word, “calling” (and its derivatives) to really get an understanding of Scripture on this topic.

My discoveries have been nothing short of fascinating!

First of all, I looked up every reference to the terms “calling,” or “called” in the New Testament.  Then, based on these verses, I compiled the following lists:

What is our calling as Christians?

(the order as read in the New Testament)

-  Called to be saints, “the called of Jesus Christ”

-  Called according to His purpose (first foreknown, then predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, then called, then justified, then glorified)

-  Called unto the fellowship of Jesus Christ

-  Called into the grace of Christ

-  Called unto liberty

-  Called in one hope of our calling

-  Called in one body

-  Called unto His kingdom and glory

-  Called unto holiness

-  Called to glorify the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ in us according to His grace

-  Called by the Gospel

-  Called to eternal life

-  Called and saved with a holy calling according to His own purpose and grace which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began

-  Called of a heavenly calling

-  Called out of darkness into His marvelous light

-  Called to follow His steps who did no sin (even in the face of suffering)

-  Called unto His eternal glory by Christ Jesus

-  Called to glory and virtue

-  Called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb

Categorized by preposition:

-  Called out of darkness into His marvelous light

-  Called of a heavenly calling

-  Called of Jesus Christ

-  Called by the Gospel

-  Called in one hope

-  Called in one body

-  Called according to His purpose (first foreknown, then predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, then called, then justified, then glorified)

-  Called and saved with a holy calling according to His own purpose and grace which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began

-  Called to be saints

-  Called to glorify the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ in us according to His grace

-  Called to follow His steps who did no sin (even in the face of suffering)

-  Called to glory and virtue

-  Called to eternal life

-  Called into the grace of Christ

-  Called unto the fellowship of Jesus Christ

-  Called unto liberty

-  Called unto His kingdom and glory

-  Called unto holiness

-  Called unto His eternal glory by Christ Jesus

-  Called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb

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It is very interesting to me to note that based on the majority of verses in the New Testament, the Biblical usage of this term “calling” is quite different than how we commonly use it today (i.e. specific vocation/ministry/task).  From these verses, we see that the term is always and only used to refer to believers; who we are called to be in Christ, how He calls us to live, what we are called to do (in a general sense), and where we are called to go when we leave this planet.  It is noteworthy to mention that these callings are always by God, for God, to God, and through God.

Now, is it wrong to use the term “calling” to refer to a specific task or position?  No.  There is certainly Scriptural reference of this definition as well.

New Testament references to a specific calling:

-  Barnabas and Saul were separated for a specific work the Holy Ghost called them unto. (Acts 13:2-3)

-  Through a vision, the Lord called for Paul and Barnabas to preach unto the people of Macedonia.  (Acts 16:9-11)

-  Paul noted that he was called to be an apostle, and later stated, “He hath saved us and called us with an holy calling...according to His own purpose and grace...whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.” (Romans 1:1-7, 1 Cor. 1:1-3)

-  Aaron was called of God to be the first high priest. (Hebrews 5:1-5)

-  Abraham was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance. (Hebrews 11:8)

As I thought about other people who were specifically called by God for a specific task here is the list I came up with:

-   Noah

-   Moses

-   Joshua

-   Samuel

-   Isaiah

-   Jeremiah

-   Ezekial

-   Jonah

-   Mary of Nazareth

-   The 12 apostles

There were probably others that I’m just not remembering, but it is interesting to note that the people called in Scripture by the Lord for a specific task were relatively few in number.  However, we see in the New Testament that all of us believers are called to be saints, to be in fellowship with the Lord Jesus Christ, to walk in holiness and liberty, to fulfill God’s purposes for us, to glorify the Name of Jesus Christ in us.  I believer that inherit within this calling, therefore, is the call to obey the Lord’s commands which include loving God wholeheartedly, making disciples of all nations, being witnesses unto Him, preaching the Gospel to every creature, doing good works, visiting the fatherless and widow, raising children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, and so much more.  Granted, some men are specifically given the instruction by God to be pastors or evangelists in a vocational sense (Ephesians 4:11), but I believe that all Christians should be involved in ministry and obedience to the Great Commission no matter where they live and no matter what they do to earn a paycheck.  Our “calling” is the same; to glorify the Name of Christ and engage in Kingdom work.

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Here are some other thoughts I scribbled down in my study of this topic:

There is a difference between our calling as Christians and our spiritual gift/measure of grace given.  One is general and one is specific.

There is a difference between having a desire for being or doing something and having a calling to that same thing.  Let’s not get the two confused and say that God called me to a particular work simply because I have the desire to go and do it.  Nothing wrong with such a desire; the Bible makes it clear that when you “delight yourself in the Lord, He will give you the desires of your heart.” 

I propose that to have a calling to a particular work means that God specifically spoke to you.  In the Bible, He always did it vocally, whether through a dream, a Damascus road experience, a burning bush, etc.  However, now we have the Word of God as our guide.  I therefore believe that it is possible to receive a specific calling of God through His Word speaking to one’s heart, as a result of a sermon heard, or through a distinct impression that He is speaking to your Spirit.

Sometimes, God’s calling to a particular place or work will be temporary.  Such was the case with Paul and Barnabas being called to preach to the people in Macedonia.  They did not devote the rest of their lives to that place.  They simply followed God’s calling there and then when the work was finished, they moved on to the next location as God led. 

Sometimes, God will lead and give direction but I don’t know that it is right to use the word calling in such a context.  Nevertheless, there would seem to be overlap in the two ideas.

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Now, what about women?  I’ve often heard it said that a woman’s highest calling is to be a wife and mother.  I am not arguing with the intended meaning behind this statement; that being a wife and mother is a noble and honorable position and one to be embraced with wholehearted enthusiasm.  However, if a woman remains unmarried and yet “cares for the things of the Lord” all during this time, does that mean she is living a “lower” calling?  Women like Nancy Leigh DeMoss, Gladys Aylward, and Corrie ten Boom come to mind.  I agree that women were created to be the helpmeet of the man and that this is the normative pattern God has established for women.  Nevertheless, there are those who never do for a host of various reasons.  Was their life a waste?  A mere shadow of what it could have been if they had married?  Did they miss their high calling?

What about women, whether young or old, who may eventually get married, but for right now, they are in the season of being unmarried?  During this season, are they living according to a “low calling” while they bide their time waiting for God’s choice in a husband so they can live the “high calling” of being a wife and mother?

Do you see how this word can get us in trouble?  If we stick to the Bible’s use of the word “calling” we will see that all Christians, men or women, young or old, married or unmarried, share the same calling from God.  Forgive me if I seem repetitive, but it bears repeating!  We are all called out of darkness into His marvelous light, called by the Gospel, called to the fellowship of Jesus Christ, called to His Kingdom and glory, called unto liberty, called unto holiness, called to glorify the Name of Christ in our very beings, called to eternal life.  It doesn’t get any higher than that. 

So back to women specifically.  “The unmarried woman cares for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit.” (1 Corinthians 7:34)  It’s a statement of fact that communicates the Lord’s will for an unmarried woman.  Therefore, the unmarried woman who is living according to this verse is living according to the specific purpose God has laid forth for her and is bringing Him glory!  That is what it’s all about, right?

The married woman, on the other hand, “cares for the things of the world, how she may please her husband.”  We know from other passages that God’s will for married women is to bear children, guide the house, love their husbands, love their children, be keepers at home, and obedient to their own husbands that the Word of God be not blasphemed and that the adversary have none occasion to speak reproachfully.  This is God’s stated purpose for married women; that’s not to say they don’t “care for the things of the Lord” as an unmarried woman, but simply that the way they care for the things of the Lord is different, with a focus on husband and children that an unmarried woman simply doesn’t have. 

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Conclusion

So, back to the original question that started this whole journey.  Should I marry a man that has the same calling in life as myself?  That would depend on how the word calling is defined.

YES, I should marry a man who is called by the Gospel of God to be a saint, called to the fellowship of Jesus Christ, called to glory and virtue, called to holiness and liberty, called to His kingdom, called to glorify the Name of Christ.

Does he have to be a missionary going to South America to work with orphans? 

NO.  This is the vocational work God has led me to pursue at this moment as an unmarried woman, but it is not a pre-requisite that my future husband must share this same pursuit.  If God allows me to marry one day, my role will be to serve as the helpmeet of my husband; to go where he goes, to support and enable him to be all he can be in whatever vocation he chooses or is called to and in his role as leader of the family.  While I will still seek to make disciples in obedience to the Great Commission, my first and most important disciples will be my children.  And Lord willing, our family will strive together to view ministry as a life-style.

“Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”   2 Peter 1:10-11