I. Calling and the Christian Life
From Self-Understanding to Turning to God
God’s call concerns the life of every Christian and deserves careful attention. Scripture records particular commissions given to people such as Moses, Isaiah, and the apostles. It also urges all who have received grace to live in a way consistent with that grace. Specific responsibilities differ, but trusting Christ, pursuing holiness, loving one another, and bearing witness to the Lord are directions shared by all believers.
As we carry out our responsibilities, we need to keep asking: Since I belong to Him in Christ, how should I live? What responsibilities do I need to carry today, and with whom do I need to work?
“From self-understanding to turning to God” does not mean that we must first understand ourselves completely before we can respond to Him. Through God’s revelation, we recognise our identity as creatures, our sin, and our limitations; through Christ’s redemption, we come to understand grace and what it means to belong to Him in a new way. Turning to God helps us know ourselves more truly, while recognising our sin and limitations helps us see more clearly our need for His redemption and help.
1. Calling Helps Us Understand Who We Are, Whom We Belong To, and Why We Live
The first two chapters explained that human dignity as creatures comes from God, and that those who trust Christ receive new life and belonging by grace. This means that, as we carry responsibilities, we do not need to prove through our results that we deserve God’s acceptance. Instead, because of the grace we have already received, we carefully discern how to remain faithful to the Lord and care for others.
Paul writes, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared before that we would walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10). This verse immediately follows the teaching that we are saved by grace through faith. It shows that believers receive new life in Christ and begin to live in a way that pleases God. Good works are a response to a life received by grace; they cannot become a condition for earning salvation.
Recognising this belonging enables us to use the abilities we have received to do good. When arranging our time, choosing work, or participating in ministry, we can first consider whom the decision will affect and whether we are fulfilling our existing responsibilities. We can then consider how to help particular people, rather than simply increasing our own achievements.
2. Calling Moves Faith from What We Believe into How We Live
Understanding the content of our faith is very important. We need to know who God is, what Christ has accomplished, why people need salvation, and what kind of life pleases God. Doctrine helps us know the Lord in whom we believe and provides a foundation for practical action.
Paul urges believers to live in a manner worthy of their calling, immediately speaking of humility, gentleness, patience, bearing with one another, and making every effort to preserve unity (Ephesians 4:1–6). Responding to God’s call is therefore also expressed in how we relate to others: how we listen to opinions, handle disagreements, restrain our speech, and care for other believers.
Studying Scripture, praying, worshipping, and sharing in the life of the church help us know God and receive truth. They also need to bring correction to our thoughts and actions. If we are familiar with Scripture yet continually neglect our commitments, disregard our families, or refuse to acknowledge mistakes, we need to face the gap between what we believe and what we do.
Paul writes, “Whether therefore you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31). The context concerns how we exercise freedom and consider the conscience and good of others. Glorifying God is expressed not only in public ministry but also in our willingness to adjust our behaviour out of love for others.
Calling makes the truth we believe a foundation for action. We consider not only whether we are free to do something, but also whether it builds others up and is consistent with the Lord in whom we believe.
3. Calling Turns Us from Self-Fulfilment towards Responding to God’s Will
Understanding our interests, abilities, gifts, and desires helps us discern what responsibilities we can carry. Making plans, learning skills, and developing abilities can also express faithful stewardship of our lives.
Yet our personal desires need to be guided by God’s truth. What we like is not always appropriate, and what produces results is not always worth pursuing. A plan may satisfy our sense of personal achievement while neglecting family responsibilities; a ministry may expand our influence while making us increasingly concerned with our own reputation.
Responding to God’s call leads us to bring these desires before Him, examining whether our goals are consistent with Scripture, whether the means of achieving them are honest and just, and how they affect those around us. In this process, we also need to listen to counsel and be willing to make changes when we discover problems.
Paul urges believers to be transformed by the renewing of their minds so that they can discern God’s will (Romans 12:2). Putting this teaching into practice requires us to re-examine how we understand success, use authority, view the value of people, and decide what deserves our time and sacrifice.
Our God-given individuality and abilities can be used appropriately through this renewal. We can hope to do something well and give thanks for the results. At the same time, we need to learn to share responsibility, respect others’ contributions, and relinquish goals that contradict the truth.
As our lives are renewed, we gradually become less dependent on proving ourselves through every task. We become freer to ask: How can I make good use of what I have received, for the benefit of others and in faithfulness to the Lord?
4. Calling Teaches Us to Listen to God, Discern His Will, Trust Him, and Obey Him
Today, through Scripture, we come to know the truth God has revealed. We seek His help in prayer and receive teaching and counsel in the shared life of the church. The Holy Spirit helps us understand and obey God’s word, teaching us to turn away from sin, love others, and remain faithful to Christ.
When assessing specific ministry arrangements, we also need to listen to others, allowing them to help us recognise needs and responsibilities more clearly and to discern together according to biblical principles. Those extending an invitation to serve should explain the needs, requirements, and preparation involved. Those receiving the invitation should honestly explain their abilities and existing commitments. Both sides need to leave room for prayer, discussion, and correction.
This listening and responding continues throughout our lives. Grace enables us to keep seeking amid our limitations, confess and repent after failure, and learn obedience in what we already understand. We do not need to know the entire road ahead before carrying the responsibilities that are clear today.
5. Calling Gives Us a Steady Direction in a Changing World
Our living conditions, ways of working, and social roles will change. A steady direction does not mean always keeping the same job or plan. It means continuing to make decisions on the basis of trusting Christ, obeying the truth, and caring for others.
When previous work ends or changes, we need to discern which responsibilities have been completed, which must continue, and which should be handed over to others. We can then arrange new ways to participate in light of our abilities, family needs, and the counsel of our community. Those who are temporarily unable to work should also receive the community’s care.
Change may bring a sense of loss, and adjustment takes time. We do not need to make new commitments immediately to fill the gap. We can continue seeking the Lord and discussing matters honestly with those involved, so that the next step responds to actual needs and fits with the responsibilities we already carry.
Calling helps Christians understand themselves before God and gradually respond to His grace in every part of life. We receive identity and life from Him, learn to live in the truth, and continue following Him amid change. At the same time, through Christ we belong to one another as believers and share in carrying out what has been entrusted to the church.