CALLING

Calling


Who enters into this covenant with God through Christ? Hebrews 9:15 tells us it is “those who are called”.

The idea is that believers are called into the kingdom and into a relationship with God. This is a controversial idea in some denominations in America at the moment, but it is the teaching of scripture.  Let’s look at some examples.

First, look at Romans 8:28-30. It is a description of the process of salvation. The context of the passage is suffering in this present age. Paul says that for those who love God all things work together for good for those who are called according to his purpose. Those who love God and those who are called are the same. They refer to believers. Believers are called by God.

The following verses of Romans 8 tell us God foreknew us, he predestined us and he called us. Then he tells us that he justifies those he called. He called us into salvation.

Jesus, in John 10:27, said “my sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life and they will never perish and no one will snatch them out of my hand.” Jesus taught all the same things the writer of Hebrews taught. Jesus is the mediator of the new covenant, bringing his sheep into God’s fold, a metaphor for kingdom. He called them.

The heard and responded because God gave them to him. This is why the doctrine is often called “effectual calling”. The idea is, those who are called will respond to God’s call. And, finally, their place in the hand of Christ, his kingdom, is permanent and kept by him and his power.