The Hope Of Your Calling

The question I ask of you is not so much one of whether or not you have a calling. I pose to you the question of whether or not you know that you are created in the image of God and therefore made for a purpose. We can face the question of what that purpose is later. But, for now, I ask you to consider the reality that God has always trusted that each human being would face their mirror and confront the issues of not only who they are but why they are.

We must first recognize that there is a dual destiny for each of us! Yes, there is an identity put on a person when they are born into the world, and there is a new creation identity that can only be realized once a person is born of the Spirit. Jesus said in Johns gospel chapter 3 “that which is born of the flesh is flesh and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” John’s gospel chapter one states in reference to Christ; “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” (Jn 1:12-13) And one of my favorite verses is; “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.“ (2 Cor 5:17)

The true Christian faith brings a person to a place of conversion. Yes, a renewal of your entire being, body, soul and spirit! Too many are attempting to follow religion or, improve themselves via the following of doctrine or religious creed. But Jesus said “You must be born of the Spirit” by believing in Christ and receiving His Spirit of life into your own spirit. Now, the law of the Spirit of life in Christ can make you free from the law of sin and death! Now you are a new creation, “His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” (Eph 2:10) Now you can freely pursue the good works that you were truly created for. This is the only real freedom!

The apostle Paul prayed for the Ephesian church:

“Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,  and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe according to the working of His mighty power…” ~Eph1:15-19

Notice that before he prayed this, he had to be confident that the church was indeed a people of faith in Christ, and of love for the saints. Then he released through his prayer “a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Christ.” This is what will open the understanding of a person’s heart so they can know the hope of His calling, the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His power….