Tim Maas Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U.S. Army

The Bible makes clear in verses such as John 6:44, John 15:16, and Ephesians 2:8-9 that the entire "credit" for the fact that an individual has saving faith in Christ belongs to God.

Since the initiative is completely on God's side, it follows that God called those people for a reason -- for a purpose that He intends for them to perform or achieve.

Included in that purpose (in addition to any purpose that would pertain to a specific individual and that individual's unique talents and situation) would be the universal purpose of acting as His agents in the calling process by telling others about Him, so that God can perform the same work of faith in them. 

(As Paul said in Romans 10:14-15 regarding the unsaved, "How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent?")

July 15 2020 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jamie Brown

In my humble opinion and definition to your very interesting question I can offer you this:

Those who love God and are called according to His purpose are individuals whom God has picked to fulfill a portion of His divine will and plan. I said interesting above because I have been discussing this very topic with others due to our world climate to date or political, economical, social, and cultural past, present, and future. 

I believe that most would say the times we currently live in are strange at best but without a doubt the most diverse in the world's history. So many things are happening in so many places involving so many people that it’s staggering. But in all this worldly conflict there is a divine plan at work and it's being written by God's hand. 

The Father has, in so many instances through the history of the Bible, used people for special reasons in completion of His will from the Old to the New Testament. The Father has placed individuals into a position or positions that would or could only be filled by one specific individual for any specific reason. 

As for the, "For those who love God are called", part of your question, it is actually what I have wondered myself. Does this mean that only Christians are called? I honestly don’t know. I do know and believe that Christian or not God can, will, and does use certain people at certain points in history to fulfill prophecy and His will. Some of those were non believers, some were faithful Christians, so I have to yield this part to someone else who is wiser than myself because my answer is: I just don’t know. 

I could share my beliefs but I’m not certain that would be really the best thing for this question. But I will say I believe your question is very important and is a very deep and well appreciated one that has, at least in my mind, not been fully answered yet. I hope this helps with your question.

July 17 2020 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report