In His Name Devotionals
GOD’S CALLING
In His Name Devotionals
GOD’S CALLING
“I pray that...you may know what is the hope of (God’s) calling.” (Ephesians 1:18 NIV)
In Ephesians 1:3-14 Paul proclaims the blessings of salvation. In verse 18 he prays that you will comprehend those great truths, which he summarizes in the phrase, “the hope of His calling.”
“Calling” here refers to God’s effectual calling, i.e., the calling that redeems the soul. Holy Scripture speaks of two kinds of callings: the Gospel or general call, and the effectual or specific call. The Gospel call is given by man and is a universal call to repent and trust Christ for salvation (Matthew 28:19; Acts 17:30-31). It goes out to all sinners, but not all who hear it respond in faith.
The effectual call is given by God only to the elect. By it He speaks to the soul and ushers sinners who believe into salvation (John 6:37-44, 46; Acts 2:39). Faith causes a person to obey the Lord, accepting the Father’s salvation, through Jesus Christ, receiving God’s effectual call.
The hope that your effectual calling instills is grounded in God’s promise and in Christ’s accomplishments (1 Peter 1:3), and is characterized by confidently expecting and yet patiently waiting for those promises to be fulfilled. It is your hope of final glorification and of sharing God’s glory when Christ returns (Colossians 3:4). It is a source of strength and stability amid the trials of life (1 Peter 3:14-15). Consequently it should fill you with joy (Romans 5:2) and motivate you to godly living (1 John 3:3).
As you face this day, do so with the confidence that you, as a Christian, are one of God’s elect. He called you to Himself and will hold you there, no matter what circumstances you face. Nothing can separate you from His love (Romans 8:38-39).
