Paul, called by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus … To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints
(1 Corinthians 1:1-2)
Here is a vital truth every believer must know. We have been called and sanctified by God. Paul identifies himself as called by the will of God. He didn’t stop there. He pointed out to the Corinthians that, they, have also been called by God and have been sanctified. This is not true of Paul and the Corinthian Christians only. It is true of every believer. We are also “called by the will of God”
To be called is to be set apart for God’s holy use. So Paul didn’t only speak of the believer as one who has been called. But also, as one sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints. The believer, was once separated from God by sin. But God at an appointed time called him out of the world of sin to be reconciled unto Himself. The believer has been transferred from the kingdom of darkness into the Kingdom of light—into the Kingdom of God’s dear Son.
This call–setting apart as holy people was made before the foundations of the earth and we contributed nothing to it. Paul says his calling was “by the will of God”—a decision solely based on God’s mercy and grace. Again, it is not only true of Paul, but of every believer. If you are a believer, your life must reflect this truth. You are sanctified. You are called. You have been set apart for God’s holy use. You have been called, not to conform to the world, but to be conformed to the image of Christ.
Pray that God will, by the truth in His word, make your life a true reflection of His call.
Further Studies
John 1:12-13, , Romans 8:29-30, 12:1-2, Ephesians 2:1-10, Colossians 1:13, 1 Peter 2:9-10
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