Category Archives: Called

Bible, Called, Calling, Choices, Justice, Romans, Scripture

GOD’S JUSTICE IS JUST

ROMANS 9:14

“What shall we say then? There is no injustice with God, is there? Far from it!”

In Psalm 51:4b, we read the words of David when he is confronted by Nathan in regard to his sin of adultery and murder. He writes, “so you are right in your verdict and justified when you judge.” David knew that whatever God did to him, it was justified. God’s decision is always right and just. God can be nothing less than just in all His ways. That’s why He is God and we aren’t.

Paul begins this discussion of God’s position in today’s verse, but it will carry over for the next several verses. I love this commentator’s words on this. “Whatever God does, must be just. Wherein the holy, happy people of God differ from others, God’s grace alone makes them differ. In this preventing, effectual, distinguishing grace, he acts as a benefactor, whose grace is his own. None have deserved it; so that those who are saved, must thank God only; and those who perish, must blame themselves only,” (Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary)

APPLICATION

Throughout Scripture we have seen God making choices. He chose Abraham rather than anyone else to make covenant with. He chose Moses rather than Aaron to be the one to lead the people out of Egypt. And while we are on that story, He chose Moses over Pharoah. God chooses certain people for certain tasks to accomplish His will. In these examples it is clear that neither Abraham nor Moses did anything to be chosen by God. But they both yielded when called.

Let’s be clear – the Gospel is for everyone. Paul, of all people, could attest to that. His ministry was to the Gentile world, a people detested by the Jews. But God has the right because He is God to choose certain people for a higher calling or for a special purpose. I have been specifically called to invest in the lives of men. It is not something I pursued on my own. I was happy and quite content working with children for over forty years. But here I am doing God’s bidding, seeking men to pour myself into.

What has God called you out to do? Carl, I don’t think God has called me to do anything. Wrong! If you are a child of God, He has called you for a purpose. Don’t try to do what someone else does and don’t be envious of someone else’s calling. Ask the Lord to reveal to you His calling on your life. God is a just God and has a just calling for you. He will not ask you to do anything which He will not equip you for. Trust Him in your calling and pour yourself into it. You will be about your Master’s business.

Father, I will not question Your decisions and complain about what You have called me to do. I commit to serve You faithfully.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Called, Calling, Chosen, Romans, Scripture

NOT BECAUSE OF WORKS

ROMANS 9:11

“for though the twins were not yet born and had not done anything good or bad, so that God’s purpose according to His choice would stand, not because of works but because of Him who calls,”

Working hard for something can be a good thing. For instance, getting back into good physical condition takes hard work. You need to exercise and work your muscles. You need to perhaps cut back on certain foods and add other foods into your diet. Those muscles will respond to your hard work, but when you stop your new habit of working out, they will begin to atrophy once again. In other words, you have to keep working.

Aren’t you glad you don’t have to work your way into God’s family? And once you’re in, you don’t have to keep working to prevent being kicked out. Praise the Lord. Paul speaks to that in today’s verse. Jacob was chosen instead of Esau before they were even born. God had a purpose to achieve through Jacob. The “heel grabber” (Genesis 25:26) was himself grabbed by God. He was called by God.

APPLICATION

We find a similar thought about God’s calling in Ephesians 1:5. I love how the New Living Translation writes this. “God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.” Calling you into His family “gave Him great pleasure.” You make God smile.

Yesterday my youngest grandson, Lucas, who is 20 months old, called me Papa for the first time. I was overjoyed. He was asked a question. Who do you want to go with right now, Nana or Papa? He just blurted out, “Papa!” My heart was overjoyed. I had the biggest grin on my face. I picture God doing the same every time I call His name.

I did nothing and can do nothing to earn God’s free gift of salvation which He has given to me. Going back to Ephesians again, Paul says in Ephesians 2:8-9, “8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Just as Jacob had done nothing in his mother’s womb to deserve the calling of God on his life, we can do nothing ourselves. He has chosen us to follow Him. We do have to yield to this calling. God will not “force feed” us. But when we do say “Yes” to Him, He beams with pleasure. His child has come home. 

Father God, I am Yours. I love to call You “Abba” and know that brings You joy.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Called, Calling, Family, Promises, Romans, Scripture, Service

CHILDREN OF THE PROMISE

ROMANS 9:8

“That is, it is not the children of the flesh who are children of God, but the children of the promise are regarded as descendants.”

My daughter wanted to have a child so badly. After she married my son-in-law, they tried for a few years, even utilizing invitro fertilization. But nothing worked. We prayed. Family prayed. And then one day my wife and I got the call. They were pregnant! The picture on this blog today is of my grandson wearing a very appropriately named onesie. “For this child we have prayed.” It was much like Abraham and Sarah when they learned she was carrying Isaac. Celebration time!

God chose Abraham and Sarah to birth the nation of Israel through their son Isaac. The promises He made to them still hold true today. But God went one better. Through His Son, Jesus Christ, He has now also included us as part of that promise. I am not Jewish, but I am part of God’s chosen people. I love what Peter said in 1 Peter 2:9. “But you are A CHOSEN PEOPLE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR GOD’S OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;” Praise be to God!

APPLICATION

So, what do you do with this sonship? God never called us to sit back and just wait on heaven. No! He expects us to serve Him through being used by Him to advance His kingdom. When I was growing up, I had chores to do in my house. At first, they were small ones like vacuuming or mopping our floors. As I aged, I was assigned bigger tasks like mowing our lawn. My physical and cognitive maturity was observed by my dad and mom as they assigned these chores. I was never asked to do something I was not capable of.

The same holds true for us as followers of Christ. As you mature in your faith and gain more knowledge of the Father, you too are called to do more. Jesus even told us in John 14:12, “‘Truly, truly I say to you, the one who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I am going to the Father.’” Jesus has entrusted us to do greater works than He did. Is that even possible?

What has He called you to do? It may be serving in the church nursery. Let me tell you – that is a high calling. As a former Children’s Pastor, these workers are highly esteemed. Perhaps the Lord has called you to leave your homeland and serve in another country. Whatever it is that your Father has tapped you to do, do it with gusto. Do it faithfully. Seek to please Him and only Him in all that you do. You are a child of the promise, His promise to you.

Father, You are so good to trust me with “chores” to do in Your family.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Called, Glorified, Justified, Predistined, Romans, Scripture

THE GOLDEN CHAIN OF SALVATION

ROMANS 8:30

“and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.”

Some things are just too beautiful for mere human words. When I look at a gorgeous sunrise, I lack the right words to describe it. I could never convey the colors I see to a person without sight. How can you put into words the colors of purple, red, gold and yellow when they intermingle at sunrise or sunset? There are a few passages in Scripture where I believe the writers struggled to convey all they were hearing from the Spirit.

Paul, I believe, was overwhelmed with the magnificence of these words in today’s verse. You need to go back and read verses 28 and 29 to get a running start today.

“28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. 29 For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters;”

And then we come to today’s verse that has been called the “Golden Chain of Salvation” by some. What is Paul trying to tell us in these beautiful words?

APPLICATION

The Cambridge Bible states, “So indissoluble is the chain that the last link (glorified) is here viewed as an accomplished fact because the first links (predestined, called, justified) are so.” Paul writes something similar in Ephesians 2:4-6. “4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” Wow! God sees us already there.

As I wrote in yesterday’s blog, this is not a discussion about predestination. I know everyone who accepts Jesus as Lord and Savior are predestined and called and justified and glorified. Why do I know that? Because He said so. It’s really that simple. I do not have to understand all the eschatological ramifications. I just believe because it’s written in His Word. Everyone needs a Savior. He is available to everyone. (John 3:16; Romans 10:13)

Do you see yourself glorified? You should if God does. He doesn’t say things like that just to say it. If He says it, it is true. Accept it. Live like it. You were predestined to be conformed in the image of His Son. You are called to Him. You believe you have been justified. So, believe that last “link in the chain.” You are glorified! Hallelujah! Praise His name.

Father, I will believe You see me as gloried. Help me today to walk glorified.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Called, Calling, Circumstances, Good, Names, Romans, Scripture

SOME CONDITIONS FOR GOD’S CARE

ROMANS 8:28

“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”

Today’s verse is probably one of the most recognizable verses in the book of Romans. But it is probably also one of the most misunderstood ones. It is true that God cares for everyone, even the vilest person alive. He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die for every person. But God will not and, because He is a just and holy God, cannot bless those who are not following Him. It goes against His nature.

Paul says two things in today’s verse which clarify His care. He does cause “all things to work together for good” to 1) those who love God and 2) those who are called according to His purpose. You really can’t make that any clearer. God puts some conditions down for His blessings. If you love God and have responded to His calling on your life, He will be there through thick and thin. You are His. That’s just the truth.

APPLICATION

So, how do you live with this truth? You have to believe, first of all, that God desires good in your life. Carl, you don’t know what I’ve been through. How could God make anything good out of this? Short answer – I don’t know. But God does. I have to believe that the God of the universe, Who took dirt and created man, Who made all of creation in six days, can make my circumstances into something good for my life.

Secondly, I believe if He has called me, He knows my name. Do you understand that? He knows YOUR name. He knows every freckle on your skin and every hair on your head. Because He knows you so completely, He knows exactly how to orchestrate your circumstances to turn anything you are facing into something good. You may not see that good for years, but He is faithful.

May I encourage you today to do a deep dive into this verse. Dissect it. Tear it apart. Look at what all the words really mean. Don’t just quote this verse lightly. It has such profound truths in it. Don’t use this verse to justify your bad choices and then expect God to make it good. The good may mean you have to live with some consequences in order to learn. But if you are a follower of Jesus, He does desire only good for you. Trust Him with that.

O Father, this verse is such a comfort for any who trust You with their life.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Called, Calling, Eternity, Saints, Scripture

THE CALLED OF CHRIST

ROMANS 1:6

“among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ;”

I have been called a lot of things in my life. I’ve been called a boy, a son, a brother, a man, a husband, father, Papa, Poppy, Uncle, Pastor and friend. Those are a lot of titles, right? I bet if you started naming all the things you have been called, you could name a few also. But those titles used by my family mean the most (husband, father, Papa, Poppy). Certain titles mean more than others.

Paul tells us today that we are “the called of Jesus Christ.” You won’t find a better thing to be called, in this life or the one to come. Of all the titles we could have, being named among the called of Christ reigns supreme. In Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible, he says this calling is “an internal special call by the grace of God;…” Without getting too deep in the doctrine of the elect, every called one of Christ is part of the elect. Christ woos us through His Holy Spirit, and when we respond in faith, He names us “the called.” Praise the Lord! 

APPLICATION

We are called other things in Christ, as well. Look in 1 Peter 2:9 where it says, “But you are A CHOSEN PEOPLE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR GOD’S OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;” Peter says there that we are called four things (chosen people, royal priesthood, holy nation, God’s possession). But I particularly like the last part of that verse. We have been “called…out of darkness into His marvelous light.” This calling brings me into His light.

In Revelation 17:14, John says Jesus will overcome the beast with “those who are with Him are the called and chosen and faithful.” You see, we continue to be part of the called throughout eternity. This title isn’t just for now. Once we are called “the called” we will be forever called “the called.” (Hey, that’s pretty catchy.) That is just one more confirmation of our security in Christ.

One more – we are also called “saints.” Now, I’m no saint, believe me. But according to God’s Word, I am. In the introduction of 1 Corinthians, Paul writes this in verse 2 of chapter 1. “…to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, saints by calling, with all who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours:…” Wow! “Saints by calling”! So, don’t argue with the Lord’s Word. He has called you His saints. We should do all we can to live up to that calling. Don’t you agree?

I have heard Your call, Lord, and having responded in faith, I am now a part of Your called ones.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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