Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ.
The called of Jesus Christ
This expression denotes--
1. That the change is wholly of the Lord, that it is the effect of His own good pleasure, and accomplished by His Almighty power. Others may attempt it, but none can do it effectually but Himself. The Word may be the instrument, but its success is of Him alone.
2. The ease with which this great work is accomplished, for what more easy than to do it with a word. In the morning of creation God said, “Let there be light, and there was light.” In the morning of conversion His mandate is equally sovereign and efficacious.
3. The great difference that is made between the former and present state of the person called. It clearly implies that a separation existed between the parties, and that in virtue of this call the sinner is brought nigh to God.
I. The nature of this holy calling. There are various calls mentioned in the Scriptures.
1. To particular services of a civil nature. God called Cyrus to the conquest of nations, and to be the protector of Israel. A person’s secular employment is said to be his calling; it is the work to which Providence invites him (Isa_45:4; 1Co_7:20).
2. To office, as when Paul was called to the apostleship (Rom_1:1). Thus every faithful minister of the gospel, in an inferior degree, is called of God (1Co_12:7-11).
3. To mankind, wherever the gospel comes, to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and be saved. But though all without exception are thus invited, few are chosen (Pro_8:4; Isa_55:7; Mat_22:1-10; Act_17:30). But the call mentioned in our text is peculiar to true believers.
It implies--
1. A conviction of the evil of sin, of the utter insufficiency of the creature, and of the want of a Saviour.
2. A sweet and powerful inclination of the whole soul towards God. The compliance is voluntary, while the energy is efficient and almighty. “I drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love.”
3. A solemn surrender of ourselves to be the Lord’s.
4. Certain effects. Sinners are hereby called out of darkness into marvellous light; from the bondage of sin, Satan, and the law, to the glorious liberty of the sons of God. It is said to he a holy and a heavenly calling, whereby we are called to the attainment of glory and virtue. It is that by which we are meetened for heaven. A partial but real conformity to God in this world will be followed by a perfect conformity to Him in the next; for whom He called, them He also glorified (Rom_8:30; 2Pe_1:3).
II. The means employed. These are diverse, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. Some are called into the vineyard at the third hour, some at the sixth, some at the ninth, and some even at the eleventh hour of the day. Sometimes remarkable providences have become the messengers of unexpected mercy; sometimes fearful dreams, or the edifying discourse of pious friends, but more frequently the public ministry of the Word. The Lord calls some in thunder, others in the still small voice.
III. Its distinguishing properties. It is--
1. Personal and particular. The general call of the gospel is addressed to all who come within its sound, but this singles out the object and speaks to him as it were by name. “Zaccheus, come down.” “Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou Me?” The former is drawing the bow at a venture, the latter directs the arrow to the mark. The one is the act of man, the other the sole work of God: the one is directed to the ear, the other to the heart.
2. Secret and internal. It is visible only in its effects (Joh_3:8). Saul’s companions heard a sound of words, but knew not what was spoken.
3. Effectual. Many other calls are not so, even where God Himself is the speaker; for he speaketh once--yea, twice--to our senses, to our reason, in the works of creation and providence, and in the ministry of the Word, but man perceiveth it not, or does not regard it. But when God speaks to the conscience and the heart the sinner is made to hear and to obey, His language is, “Call Thou and I will answer--speak, Lord, for Thy servant heareth.”
4. Irrevocable. Not only the gifts, but the calling of God is without repentance (Rom_11:29), God is said to repent that He gave man a being, but never that He gave him grace,
Improvement:
1. How necessary and important is it that we give all diligence to make our calling and election sure (2Pe_1:10).
2. Let us learn our obligations to Divine grace. Whatever we are enabled to do for Christ is the fruit of what He has done for us.
3. Let our gratitude for God’s distinguishing grace be exemplified by a course of universal obedience. (B. Beddome.)
The inspiring energy of a Divine call
Great heroes of history have often been represented as urged on, stimulated, or inspired by some influence beyond themselves. Whether it has been called a genius or a spirit, a demon or an angel, fate or providence, the principle is the same. They have either themselves believed, or the superstition of their followers has given birth to the idea that some overruling and irresistible power was leading them through the intricacies of their earthly course and directing their every step towards a predetermined end. Thus Joan of Arc, a simple rustic country maid, was led on by imaginary voices which she heard to seek the deliverance of her country from the hand of her enemies. She believed herself inspired to take the lead of armies and to place the crown of France upon the head of the rightful monarch. Nor did she cease or fail in her endeavours till she had roused her countrymen to vigorous action, led them on to victory, and restored the kingdom to him whom she regarded as its true and lawful king. (Harvey Phillips.)
The Christian calling ascertained
To every Christian man there is a heavenly calling, a Divine mission, a sacred consecration, and it behoves him to see, to contemplate, to study what that calling is and how he can best perform its sacred obligations. (Harvey Phillips.)
Life not to fall below the heavenly calling
A being already invested with a deathless life, already adopted into the immediate family of God, already enrolled in the brotherhood of angels, yea, of the Lord of angels; a being who, amid the revolutions of earth and skies, feels and knows himself indestructible, capacitated to outlast the universe, a sharer in the immortality of God--what is there that can be said of such an one which falls not below the awful glory of his position! Oh, misery, that with such a calling, man should be the grovelling thing that he is that, summoned but to pause for awhile in the vestibule of the eternal temple ere he be introduced into its sanctuaries, he should forget, in the dreams of his lethargy, the eternity that awaits him! Oh, wretchedness beyond words, that, surrounded by love, and invited to glory, we should have no heart for happiness, but should still cower in the dark, while light ineffable solicits him to behold and enjoy it! (Prof. W. A. Butler.)
The Christian calling should lead to service
Like as if the Queen, to show her puissance against a foreign power, should call forth some of her subjects who are most beholden to her to combat in her presence for her honour, they would, no doubt, strain all their strength in this service, yea, and their lives too: even so, much more ought we that are Christians to perform this duty to our God and Prince, who hath called us out by name to fight for His honour, to be a chosen and peculiar people unto Himself, to stand on His posts, to show forth His virtues and to be zealous of good works; yea, and, that we might the better perform this service, He had furnished us with His own armour and weapons, yea, and His own holy hand is with us too, though all men see it not; therefore we must endeavour to do valiantly, and to do our best, to answer the expectation of our heavenly King and Prince. (Cawdray.)
