What It Means To Be "Called"

We Are Called Out & Into

Called out of labor into rest (Matthew 11:28)

Matthew 11:28 NKJV

28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Called out of darkness into light (1 Peter 2:9)

1 Peter 2:9 NKJV

9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;

Called from bondage to liberty (Galatians 5:13)

Galatians 5:13 NKJV

13 For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.

Called from death to life (1 John 3:14)

1 John 3:14 NKJV

14 We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death.

Called from bondage to peace (1 Corinthians 7:15)

1 Corinthians 7:15 NKJV

15 But if the unbeliever departs, let him depart; a brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases. But God has called us to peace.

Called from alienation to fellowship (1 Corinthians 1:9)

1 Corinthians 1:9 NKJV

9 God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

How Are We Called Out?

2 Thessalonians 2:14 NKJV

14 to which He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Who Are The Called Out?

We are made sons of God (John 1:12)

John 1:12 NKJV

12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name:

We are made the children of God (Galatians 3:26)

Galatians 3:26 NKJV

26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.

We are made the servants of God (Matthew 25:21)

Matthew 25:21 NKJV

21 His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’

We are made God's saints (Colossians 1:1)

Colossians 1:1 NKJV

1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,

We are made workers together with God (2 Corinthians 6:1)

2 Corinthians 6:1 NKJV

1 We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain.

We are called to a high calling (Philippians 3:14)

Philippians 3:14 NKJV

14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

We are called to a holy calling (2 Timothy 1:9)

2 Timothy 1:9 NKJV

9 who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began,

We are called to a heavenly calling (Hebrews 3:1)

Hebrews 3:1 NKJV

1 Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus,

-adapted from Pulpit Helps, August, 1992, p. 11