The Calls Of God

[Michael37]

Seven Calls Of God According To Scripture:

1. Universal Call To Repentance And Faith: This is the general call to all humanity to come to faith in God and live according to His teachings. It's often associated with the Great Commission, where Jesus instructs His disciples to spread the gospel to all nations. 

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   Matthew 28:19-20: "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." 

   John 3:16: "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

2. Vocational Call: This pertains to individuals being called to specific roles or professions, such as ministry, teaching, or any other occupation where they can serve God and others. It's the sense of purpose that guides one’s career or life work.

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    Ephesians 4:11-13: "So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ." 

   Colossians 3:23-24: "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving."

3. Call to Holiness: Every believer is called to live a life of holiness, striving to reflect God's character through their actions, words, and thoughts. This involves personal transformation and growing in spiritual maturity. 

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   1 Peter 1:15-16: "But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: 'Be holy, because I am holy.'"

   Romans 12:1-2: "Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."

4. Call to Service: This involves dedicating oneself to serving others, whether within the church or in the broader community. It's a call to embody Christ's love through acts of charity, justice, and compassion. 

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   Galatians 5:13: "You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love." 

   Matthew 20:26-28: "Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

5. Call to Suffering: Sometimes, individuals might feel called to endure hardship or persecution for their faith. This call emphasizes the importance of perseverance and trust in God amidst trials.

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   1 Peter 4:12-13: "Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed."

   James 1:2-4: "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

6. Call to Community: Many believe that God calls people to live in community with others, fostering relationships and supporting each other in their spiritual journeys.

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    Acts 2:42-47: "They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved."

   Hebrews 10:24-25: "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching."

7. Missionary Call: This is a specific call to go beyond one's own cultural or geographical context to share the message of faith with others, often involving significant sacrifices and adjustments.

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   Romans 10:14-15: "How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: 'How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!'"

   Acts 1:8: "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

    

[LucentCovenant]

Thank you for this Michael, I just had a brother in Christ asking what some of the callings were. Greatly appreciate this post.

[Marathoner]

An excellent OP. I'll arrange the seven callings in the order in which they were delivered to me, @Michael37.

Universal Call To Repentance And Faith, when the Lord called me.

Call to Community, when I was added to the Body and became part of a fellowship for 4 years.

Call to Suffering, twenty years of homeless destitution which culminated in a near-fatal illness. 

Call to Holiness, when the Lord lifted me up and taught me how to speak and reason again. He used the scriptures as my educational source: first, by learning how to read them aloud (it was grueling to endure) and then, through questioning me regarding what I had read. Along the way, He taught me how to live.

Call to Service, which occurred after my instruction above was finished according to the Lord. God poured His Spirit upon me, and I received my first task: to serve the woman whom He had sent me to as her son in her time of need. Behold, my mother. Serve her just as I serve the Lord and love her just as He loves me. 

Vocational Call, which commenced after she passed on and I faithfully discharged the duty which the Lord had given to me to fulfill. The Lord declared where I would go, what I would do, and what would come to pass. This included a Missionary Call for I would walk in dark and desperate places which my Call to Suffering and Call to Service prepared me for. I would serve the needy and homeless by joining a non-profit organization. 

Edited March 4 by Marathoner

[Michael37]

12 minutes ago, Marathoner said:

An excellent OP. I'll arrange the seven callings in the order in which they were delivered to me, @Michael37.

Universal Call To Repentance And Faith, when the Lord called me.

Call to Community, when I was added to the Body and became part of a fellowship for 4 years.

Call to Suffering, twenty years of homeless destitution which culminated in a near-fatal illness. 

Call to Holiness, when the Lord lifted me up and taught me how to speak and reason again. He used the scriptures as my educational source: first, by learning how to read them aloud (it was grueling to endure) and then, through questioning me regarding what I had read. Along the way, He taught me how to live.

Call to Service, which occurred after my instruction above was finished according to the Lord. God poured His Spirit upon me, and I received my first task: to serve the woman whom He had sent me to as her son in her time of need. Behold, my mother. Serve her just as I serve the Lord and love her just as He loves me. 

Vocational Call, which commenced after she passed on and I faithfully discharged the duty which the Lord had given to me to fulfill. The Lord declared where I would go, what I would do, and what would come to pass. This included a Missionary Call for I would walk in dark and desperate places which my Call to Suffering and Call to Service prepared me for. I would serve the needy and homeless by joining a non-profit organization. 

That's a great testimony, @Marathoner

God called Moses from a burning bush. It took a physical manifestation to get his attention:

Exo 3:1-4  Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian. And he led the flock to the back of the desert, and came to Horeb, the mountain of God.  (2)  And the Angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire from the midst of a bush. So he looked, and behold, the bush was burning with fire, but the bush was not consumed.  (3)  Then Moses said, "I will now turn aside and see this great sight, why the bush does not burn."  (4)  So when the LORD saw that he turned aside to look, God called to him from the midst of the bush and said, "Moses, Moses!" And he said, "Here I am."

[ayin jade]

It seems like a call to service, to vocation, and to missions could be the same thing for some folks. 

[TheBlade]

Thanks.. I was going to say something but I see its best to say nothing at all. Praise GOD thanks for posting. 

[In the Clouds]

This is a soulful and spiritual step by step reminder and quest for forwarding our place here on earth.  A place of growing and testimonials.  

Thank you.  My place without much ado is in service. 

 

Thank you, Lord.  You give me purpose.

[Michael37]

29 minutes ago, TheBlade said:

I was going to say something but I see its best to say nothing at all.

A call to be taciturn 

[Marston]

5 hours ago, Michael37 said:

Matthew 20:26-28: "Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

I love that teaching!