A Compelling Testimony: Maintaining a Disciplined Walk, Christlike Character, and Godly Relationships as God's Servant

Ses s i on 6: Cu l t i vat i ng Our Commun i t y : The “Corporate” Di sc i p l i nes 285

a. God’s call on our lives is discerned in the midst of his people ; calling or vocation is the action of God in summoning people to specific tasks or roles. A sense of sanction or apologia attaches to a calling from God: if a person is called by God to a task or position, this is regarded within the Bible as constituting a suffi cient defense of a person’s committing himself or herself to it. In addition to such sanction, we can note the element of compulsion: if God calls a person, it is never in doubt that a person is under obligation to obey the summons. The Puritan division of callings into the two categories of general and particular remains a valid distinction for categorizing the Bible’s images of calling. The general calling is the call of God to believe in him as Lord and Savior and to follow his prescriptions for living. Particular callings are God’s leading into specific tasks and roles in life (Leland Ryken, Dictionary of Biblical Imagery [electronic ed.]. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, c. 2000, p. 133). 10.12-15 – For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. [13] For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” [14] But how are they to call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? [15] And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” b. God’s general call to salvation through Christ as the Church proclaims deliverance in his name, Rom.

c. God’s particular call on our individual lives, 1 Cor. 7.17 – Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him. This is my rule in all the churches.