Are You "Called"?

by Leonard V. Johnson

God’s living word gives us the surprising answer to this so often misunderstood question!

THIS question is misunderstood like no other! And it’s a question that all true Christians should know BEYOND ANY SHADOW OF DOUBT! Because ── unless all doubt is removed ── we may not be able to withstand this growing onslaught of attacks from Satan the Devil within ‘this generation’!

All true Christians are divinely called! This is a living truth from God’s living word – the Holy Bible. Yet, millions upon millions just assume that it is but a matter of “choice.”

Notice what our Lord Jesus Christ said to His disciples then ─ and what He is saying to us brethren today –

“And the disciples came and said to Him, ‘Why do You speak to them in parables?’ 11) He answered and said to them, ‘Because IT HAS BEEN GIVEN TO YOU to know the mysteries of the kingdom [from] heaven, but to them IT HAS NOT BEEN GIVEN. 13) Therefore I speak to them in parables, …’”

Par▪a▪ble \ ‘par-ǝ-bǝl \ n [ME, fr. MF, fr. LL parabola, fr. Gk parabolē comparison, fr. paraballein to compare, fr. para- + ballein to throw ─ more at DEVIL] (14c) : EXAMPLE; specif : a usu. short fictitious story that illustrates a moral attitude or a religious principle. 1

“ … ‘because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. 14) And in them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled, which says: ‘Hearing you will hear and shall not understand, And seeing you will see and not perceive; 15) For the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, And their eyes they have closed, Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, Lest they should understand with their hearts and TURN, so that I should heal them.’” – Matthew 13:10-15.

And, this weekend I was trying to let the LIGHT OF CHRIST show forth before some relatives when I spoke up and told them, “You will get to see your mother once again!” Sadly, their mother died this past week. 

Our Lord Jesus reveals to us here that only a few in number were (and are) being given a true understanding of His living word – the Holy Bible – at this time. It is simply NOT the LORD God’s (the family of God; which at this time consists of God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ) intention to convert everyone at this time!

Our Lord Jesus also says, “’ No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; … 65) … Therefore I have said to you that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him by My Father.’” – John 6:44, 65.

The Apostle Paul – under the inspiration of the Spirit of God – says exactly the same!

“For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called.” – 1 Corinthians 1:26.

These are but a few biblical examples. But it is plain to see that ONLY A FEW are being called and converted during this present evil age.

As a whole ─ especially in this present evil age (see Galatians 1:4; Revelation 12:12) ─ humanity feels no need for the LORD God. This generation's overall belief ─ this weekend ─ glared brightly in my face! “You’re allowed to believe whatever you want to believe! Just leave me alone!” Sadly, they fail to spiritually see and spiritually hear what is really wrong with this world and just who is to blame! They are spiritually blinded!

Truly understanding the living word of God, the truth of God, and the ultimate Plan of God IS THE RESULT OF BEING CALLED! True Christians ─ those that have been called by Father God, properly repented, properly baptized, and have had hands laid upon them ─ receiving the glorious gift of the Spirit of God ─ have received a DIVINE CALLING!

Calling Alone Is Not Conversion

One of the most difficult things for a human being to admit is that they are wrong. Self-justification is an insidious habit that can lead us down a dark path. It’s a form of lying to yourself, preventing you from growing. 2 Our minds tend to excuse misdeeds and seek “making right” what one knows in our heart is wrong. A great many dangerously assume that since they haven’t been converted, then they haven’t been called. This blindness of responsibility ─ like crossing the street while witnessing someone being beaten up and doing nothing to help ─ is DISOBEYING THE LORD GOD! You’re pretending to only be a bystander! Like Sgt. Schultz on Hogan’s Heroes, “I see nothing! I hear nothing! I know nothing, nothing!”

Truly, the calling by Father God doesn’t convert anyone! CONVERSION IS THE RESULT OF HEARING HIS CALL AND ACTING ON THAT CALLING! Not being converted doesn’t mean that you haven’t been called.

God’s living word tells us that every human being has a “carnal mind” and has “enmity against God” until converted. We are called while we are yet unconverted. Conversion is a process ─ a process of growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus and growing in the fruits of the Spirit. Becoming more like the LORD God!

We are all born automatically contrary to the Law of God ─ speaking of the Ten Commandments. “As it is written: ‘There is none righteous, no not one; 11) There is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God. 23) for all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God.’” – Romans 3:10-11, 23.

So, since we all have been a part of this world, a DIVINE CALLING is necessary to reveal just what sin is! Recall the Apostle Paul – “ … I would not have known sin except through the law …” – Romans 7:7-8. And that we MUST REPENT OF THIS SIN! ─ “’ The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. REPENT, and believe in [obey] the gospel.’” – Mark 1:14. And in the same manner our Lord Jesus says to us – “’ I tell you, no; but unless you REPENT you will all likewise perish.’” – Luke 13:1-5.

Whether or not conversion takes place as a result of our being called out of this world is OUR RESONSIBILITY! We were given free moral agency! Our Lord Jesus says “’ those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 13) … For I did not come to call the righteous [in other words, the “self-righteous”], BUT SINNERS, to repentance.’” – Matthew 9:12-13.

True Repentance ─ along with true baptism and the laying on of hands and receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit ─ is the FIRST STEP that we must take in heeding God the Father’s call. Then, with and through the power of God’s Spirit, we begin to struggle and overcome the power of Satan the Devil, our human nature, and of this world. We MUST OVERCOME!

Recall again the Apostle Paul –

“Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin LEADING TO DEATH, or of obedience LEADING TO RIGHTEOUSNESS? 17) But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet YOU OBEYED from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. 18) And having been SET FREE FROM SIN, you became slaves of righteousness.” – Romans 6:16-18.

Let us be renewed daily in the spirit of our mind, and “put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness” – Ephesians 4:23-24.

The Apostle Paul, writing to Timothy, speaks of Demas ─ who was called by Father God, been blessed with having knowledge and understanding of God’s living word, truth, and plan ─ yet, TURNED FROM THE LORD GOD! Our Lord Jesus WARNS us – “’ No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.’” – Luke 9:62.

The Apostle Peter tells us to give due diligence ─

“Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, …” – 2 Peter 1:10.

And he lists things we should do so that we never stumble ──

“ … add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love.” – 2 Peter 1:5-7.

And, once God the Father decides to call an individual, never will the LORD God change Their mind –

“For the gifts and THE CALLING of God are irrevocable.” – Romans 11:29.

But sadly, an individual can “grieve the Spirit.” Our Lord Jesus WARNS us ─

“’ Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men. 32) Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, EITHER IN THIS AGE OR IN THE AGE TO COME.’” – Matthew 12:31-32.

We also receive a stern WARNING from the Apostle Paul ─

“And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by [which] you were sealed for the day of redemption.” – Ephesians 4:30.

What does it mean to ‘grieve the Holy Spirit”?

Minister Michael C. Garrett ─

… a lot of you have been on job sites, construction sites, maybe in the military, even watching movies, where you hear God’s name ‘taken in vain’ on a regular basis. And yet, speaking profanely against the name of God or Jesus Christ – that is not a sin which cannot be forgiven. Because once you get old enough – mature enough – and to have God’s blessing and God’s calling you will come to understand, ‘Oh, I never should have done that!’ And you will cry out for forgiveness and you will be forgiven. But what is the one sin which cannot be forgiven!? Verse 32 – “ … ‘but whoever speaks [commands] against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come.’” Well, what is He talking about!? To ‘blaspheme’ – from the Strongest Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible – their definition is: # 988 - βλασφη μί α, blasphémia, n. GK: 1060 [ → 987]. Blasphemy, slander, malicious talk. The Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary defines blasphemy: \’blas-f ǝ-mē\ n. pl – mies (13c) 1 a: the act of insulting or showing contempt or lack of reverence for God b: the act of claiming the attributes of deity 2: irreverence toward something considered sacred or inviolable. Now, what is blaspheme against God’s Spirit!? …

Now, a lot of people over the years, I heard say, ‘Oh, I think I’ve committed the unpardonable sin!’ Well, if you are fearful or uncomfortable that maybe you have done something wrong – you have not committed blaspheme against God’s Spirit. Because if you’ve committed blaspheme against God’s Spirit you wouldn’t care. Blaspheme against God’s Spirit is commanding it – driving it out of you – out of your heart and out of your mind. In 1 Thessalonians 5:19, Paul wrote the following – “Do not quench the Spirit.” Don’t restrict it – don’t squeeze it off. Don’t tie off the flow of God’s Spirit.”

(Garrett, M.C, What Is “The Unpardonable Sin”? 8 Nov. 2019 PDF).

If God the Father CALLS US out of this present evil age, we only have one opportunity for eternal salvation. For our Lord Jesus tells us, “ … ‘For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; …’” – Luke 12:48.

How Does God the Father Call?

Does God call with an audible voice!? Does God call by accidents, incidences, or superstitions? Or, does God call when the hairs on your neck stand up!? What is the truth?

God’s living truth is simple.

“ … God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth.” – 2 Thessalonians 2:13.

MANY are being called ── but few are chosen!

God the Father through Jesus Christ [who are the Spirit – see 2 Corinthians 3:17) CALLS many individuals hearing our sermons, or reading or listening to our articles. And, perhaps some will be called through our example and witness. Yet, in each case, each individual is called by the LORD God THROUGH SANCTIFICATION BY THE SPIRIT!

What Is “Sanctification by the Spirit”?

“God [speaking of God the Father] FROM THE BEGINNING …” Recall that God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ have known us from before we were in the womb!

In prayer once I was reminded of the time when our Lord Jesus' disciples had asked Him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” And as tears were streaming down my face – the eureka moment when it was revealed to me that the LORD God knew before I was born that I would be born with transposition of the great arteries so that  – like He tells His disciples in this instance, “ … ‘that the works of God should be revealed in him.’” That the LORD God would gift me with sight!

Speaking to the Prophet Jeremiah, our LORD God said ──

“’ Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I SANCTIFIED YOU; …’” – Jeremiah 1:5.

God FIRST sanctifies ── or sets each one apart ── by means of the Holy Spirit.

Also, back to the latter, “and BELIEF IN THE TRUTH.”

The Spirit of the truth; for “it will lead you into all truth because it shall not speak from itself, but whatever it shall hear, it shall speak. And it shall disclose to you the things to come.” – John 16:13, NET. A Faithful Version by Fred. R. Coulter.

The Spirit of God which reveals TRUTH ── which sanctifies an individual to make him or her an heir of salvation.

God’s living word – the Holy Bible – is truth!

Notice –

“On the next Sabbath almost the whole city came together to HEAR THE WORD OF GOD.” – Acts 13:44.

What were they hearing?

They were hearing the Holy Scriptures!

“Now when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord. And as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed.” – Acts 13:48.

As in “predestination.”

“Moreover whom He predestined, THESE HE ALSO CALLED; whom He called, these He also justifies; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.” – Romans 8:30.

THESE HE ALSO CALLED believe the living word of God!

THERE IS NO DOUBT IN THEIR MINDS! They know the Holy Scriptures are the living words of the LORD God! THE HOLY BIBLE!

Unlike the Book of Mormon which was first published by Joseph Smith in 1830. Also, unlike the Koran which Islamic tradition stipulates Muhammad wrote in 610 BC.

Now, there are a great many reasons today why men do not believe God’s living truth. And why the vast overall majority of professing Christians do not understand the Holy Bible! The LORD God has allowed mankind to be deceived, yet the LORD God has called many and chosen a few. It is the Spirit of God that enables us to comprehend the LORD God’s basic principles of understanding.

Let us Understand These ‘Basic Principles’

This past weekend I was told, “The Bible was written by men, and then transcribed over and over!” That is accurate to a point ── but let us understand it was manifested by and through God’s Spirit working upon and through men’s minds.

FIRST: “ …’ Man shall not live by bread alone, but by EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS FROM THE MOUTH OF GOD.’” – Matthew 4:4.

To truly understand the living word of God it is necessary to LIVE BY EVERY WORD OF GOD ── not just by one passage or one verse, or some tradition or doctrine. Sadly, the overall majority of this world’s Christian churches (except for a relatively small percentage of Bible truths) are walking in ERROR! They DELIBERATLY REJECT all of God’s living word except a small portion which has no effect on their personal lives! THE LORD GOD gives understanding to only those who are willing to LIVE BY EVERY WORD OF GOD!

SECOND: “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” – 2 Timothy 3:16.

No one can truly believe God’s living word if one feels that a portion of the Bible is uninspired. However, this is exactly what the majority of professing Christians do today!

Here are a few examples ─

“’ If you love Me, keep My commandments.’” – John 14:15.

“ … ‘If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; …’” – John 14:23.

“’ Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth ── ’” – John 5:28.

“’ No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven.’” – John 3:13.

“’ And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one tittle of the Law to fail.’” – Luke 16:17.

Meaning – what do the majority of professing Christians do with these (and other) passages!? Do they mark them out with a marker!?

Then there are a great many that only regard the Old Testament that is inspired. Others, only the New Testament! Then there are still others who believe the Book of Revelation is nothing more than the writings of a man who smoked a lot of peyote. Others obsess over the “lost scriptures” that are not in the inspired canon. WHAT HOGSWALLOP!

THIRD: “To the Law and to the testimony [the Word of God!]! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.’” – Isaiah 8:20.

The Law of God and the Testimony of that Law. The revelation of the LORD God by His prophets. Recall – Hebrews 1:2 – “God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, 2) has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, …”

Sadly, the overall majority of mankind has rejected the Law of God! And every conceivable argument has been made in the attempt to do away with God’s Law ─ the Ten Commandments.

FOURTH: “ …’(and the Scripture CANNOT be broken), …’” – John 10:35. Meaning – God’s living word DOES NOT CONTRADICT ITSELF! And unless you approach God’s living word with this truth, you cannot hope to grasp the full meaning of God’s word.

FIFTH: “knowing this FIRST, that PROPHECY OF SCRIPTURE IS OF ANY PRIVATE INTERPRETATION, 21) for prophecy NEVER came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.” – 2 Peter 1:20-21.

Sadly, the overall majority of humanity has not understood God’s living word simply because they will not believe the fourth ‘basic principle.’ They suppose that contradictions occur because men interpret the Bible in whatever way they choose. They do not allow God’s living word to interpret ITSELF! One can rightly understand more difficult passages and verses in the light of other passages and verses. We are told in the Old Testament ─

“For precept [rule] must be upon precept, precept upon precept, Line upon line, line upon line, Here a little, there a little.’” – Isaiah 28:10.

These five principles can serve as a guide in enabling you to believe the truth. Sadly, complicated theological theories of men have been substituted for the simplicity that is in Christ Jesus.

Called By the GOSPEL

Notice again ─ “ … God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth, 14) to which He called you BY OUR GOSPEL, …” – 2 Thessalonians 2:13, 14.

Now that our minds and hearts have been changed, the active means that the LORD God uses for us to obtain “the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ” is the gospel.

Throughout the world – again, overall – mankind has not grasped the gospel message. Because they have not received the vital ingredient that makes understanding crystal clear – the Holy Spirit. As a result of having been gifted the Holy Spirit, the living word of God becomes a personal message to you. Hearing the TRUE GOSPEL is vital! The gospel message is the “preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence, …” – Acts 28:31. It’s not just a message about Jesus the person. It’s a message about the LORD God’s kingdom ─ government ─ which currently is made up of the very family of God! Our Heavenly Father and His Heavenly Son!

And the LORD God calls on all people everywhere to repent!

“Therefore, since WE ARE THE OFFSPRING OF GOD, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, something shaped by art and man’s devising. 30) Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, BUT NOW COMMANDS ALL MEN EVERYWHERE TO REPENT.” – Acts 17:29-30.

1) Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, Tenth Edition, Merriam-Webster, Incorporated, Springfield, Mass., © 1996, pg. 841.

2) Betancourt, A., Be Wary of the Common Behavior of Self-Justifying Your Actions, 5 Nov. 2022.