Bible Study with the Cincotti's - The Divine Calling - `10/31/2021

  Today's Bible Study, Authored by Arthur Cincotti. 10/31/2021

Listen to our Bible Study Discussion at: The Divine Calling Bible Study Discussion Podcast

The Divine Calling

 

When we profess Eph. 2:8, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.” we defer the energy of our salvation on to God.

 

The way this flushes out is expressed in Jn. 6:44 & 65, “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day.” 65 “And He said, ‘Therefore I have said to you that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him by My Father.”’

 

This is an expression of the Divine calling

 

We are called out of darkness – bondage to sin which brings forth death – into His glorious light. I Pet. 2:9

 

This initial calling is unto salvation; the just wrath of God has passed over you, your name is written in “the Lambs book of life” Rev. 21:27, you are covered by the blood of Jesus I Jn. 1:7.

 

As of us, this is who Paul refers to in the address of his letters, Rom. 1;7 “To all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints” or I Cor. 1:2, “To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints…”

 

But God may not be finished calling!

 

God called Samuel four times I Sam. 3

 

God has a purpose and plan (or calling) for every life, but for some the calling is substantial. How does one know with certainty.

 

 

First let’s examine the general calling. Rom 8:30

         All are called to pursue righteousness; I Tim. 6:11

         Shun evil, I Cor. 6:9-10

         Embrace the Word of God, Col 3:16

         Express the love of God to each other; Jn. 13:35 & I Pet. 4:8

         Tell the good news of salvation; Mt. 28:19 “Go”

         Minister (serve); Mt. 25:44, also Heb. 6:10

 

But there may be a more substantial calling.

         For instance, Eph. 4:11

“And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.”

 

         Consider the calling of Timothy:

He was prophesied over, I Tim. 1:18 and 4:14

He was mentored by Paul, II Tim. 1:13,14

He was trustworthy with what was given him, Phil. 2:19-23

 

Often times your calling comes equally from without as from within, when other people recognize and nurture the giftings that they see in you.

 

Consider Stephen who was selected by the apostles for a specific task, Acts 6:3-8

 

Consider Philip and Nathanael Jn. 1:43-51

 

Consider David, I Sam. 16:11-13

         I Sam. 16:7, “But the LORD said to Samuel, ‘for the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”’

 

First cultivate the general calling, and then listen and wait for the more substantial.         II Ch.16:9           Isa. 6:8