The concept of the "Call of God" to man is a profound theme woven throughout the biblical narrative, reflecting God's sovereign will and purpose. This divine call is not arbitrary but is intricately linked to God's eternal purpose and plan for humanity and creation.

Biblical Foundation

The call of God is first seen in the Old Testament, where God calls individuals for specific purposes. For instance, God called Abraham to leave his country and kindred to become the father of a great nation (Genesis 12:1-3). This call was not based on Abraham's merit but on God's sovereign choice and purpose.

In the New Testament, the call of God is further elucidated through the teachings of Jesus and the apostles. The Apostle Paul, in particular, emphasizes that God's call is according to His purpose. In Romans 8:28-30 , Paul writes, "And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose. For those God foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers. And those He predestined, He also called; those He called, He also justified; those He justified, He also glorified."

Nature of the Call

1. Sovereign and Gracious: The call of God is sovereign, meaning it originates from God's will and is not contingent upon human action or merit. It is an act of grace, as seen in Ephesians 2:8-9 , "For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast."

2. Purposeful: God's call is purposeful, aligning with His divine plan. Ephesians 1:11 states, "In Him we were also chosen as God’s own, having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything by the counsel of His will."

3. Transformative: The call of God is transformative, leading to a change in identity and purpose. Believers are called to be saints (Romans 1:7), to live holy lives (1 Peter 1:15), and to proclaim the excellencies of God (1 Peter 2:9).

Responses to the Call

The call of God requires a response. In the parable of the wedding banquet (Matthew 22:1-14), Jesus illustrates that many are called, but few are chosen, highlighting the necessity of responding to God's invitation with faith and obedience.

1. Faith and Obedience: Responding to God's call involves faith, as seen in Abraham's response to God's call (Hebrews 11:8). It also requires obedience, as James 1:22 exhorts, "Be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves."

2. Repentance and Commitment: The call to follow Christ involves repentance and a commitment to discipleship. Jesus calls individuals to deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow Him (Matthew 16:24).

Implications of the Call

1. Assurance and Security: The call of God provides assurance and security to believers, as it is rooted in God's unchanging purpose. Romans 11:29 affirms, "For God’s gifts and His call are irrevocable."

2. Mission and Service: Those called by God are commissioned for service and mission. The Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20) exemplifies the call to make disciples of all nations, reflecting God's redemptive purpose for the world.

3. Hope and Future Glory: The call of God is eschatological, pointing to the future hope and glory that awaits believers. In 1 Thessalonians 2:12 , Paul encourages believers to "walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into His own kingdom and glory."

The call of God to man, according to His purpose, is a central theme that underscores the divine initiative in salvation and the believer's role in God's redemptive plan. It is a call that demands a response of faith, obedience, and commitment, leading to a life of purpose, service, and hope.Romans 8:28
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Romans 9:11,23,24
(For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calls;)
Torrey's Topical Textbook

God's Will and Man's Will
... will have mercy, calling whom he chooses to call, quickening whom ... in the eternal
purpose and counsel of God, who worketh ... it does seem to us as if man were thus ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 8 1863/gods will and mans will.htm

On the Vocation of Sinners to Communion with Christ, and to a ...
... some particular man, as he knows it to be congruous or suitable that this man should
be ... Those who are obedient to the vocation or call of God, freely yield ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 2/on the vocation of sinners.htm

God's Providence
... We do not ponder those we can trace: or we should tremble to call anything beneath
the notice of God. ... God gives man the power of action, and preserves ...
/.../chapter vi gods providence.htm

The Coming of the Called.
... He that calls by it is God, not the minister. And this call goes forth by the means
of two agencies, one coming to man from without and the other from ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xxviii the coming of the.htm

The Canons of Dordt
... are called by the gospel obey the call and are ... teach: That God in the regeneration
of man does not ... Article 1 Those whom God, according to His purpose, calls to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/various/the canons of dordt/

The Canons of Dort.
... are called by the gospel obey the call must be ... Christ; but because he who works in
man both to ... Of the Perseverance of the Saints."Whom God calls, according ...
/.../creeds of christendom with a history and critical notes/ 67 the canons of.htm

The Marcionite Interpretation of God and Mammon Refuted the ...
... Cursed is the man that trusteth in man." [4791] Since ... in order that the kingdom of
God might be ... is called Mammon, says Rigaltius, the Latins call lucrum, "gain ...
/.../chapter xxxiii the marcionite interpretation of.htm

God's Glory the Chief End of Man's Being
... Lord and his kindness and love hath "appeared toward man. ... I beseech you, gather your
spirits, call them home ... We once came short of our end,"God's glory and ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/lecture i gods glory the.htm

God's Providence
... here is one of his works; though I call loudly none can ... is between a man with good
eyes and a blind man. ... work together for good to them that love God, even to ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 54 1908/gods providence.htm

Prayer Essential to God
... Man must pray to God if love for God is to exist. ... Prayer is the sense of
God's need and the call for God's help to supply that need. ...
/.../bounds/the weapon of prayer/i prayer essential to god.htm

What is the Macedonian Call? | GotQuestions.org

If His name was Yeshua, why do we call Him Jesus? | GotQuestions.org

What is meant by “call those things which are not as though they were” (Romans 4:17)? | GotQuestions.org

Call: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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