Called To Christ, Called To Liberty, Called To Peace

1 Cor.1:9

Chosen, redeemed sinners, when born again by the irresistible power and grace of God the Holy Spirit, are effectually called to Christ to faith in and fellowship with the Son of God. "God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord." We have been called into the blessed liberty of intimate, sweet fellowship with the Triune God in our all glorious Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ! God calls his people to abandon the world for Christ. Mark my words. Those who are called of God are called to forsake family and friend, like Abram, and follow Christ. We have been, and are continually called by our God, to “love not the world, neither the things that are in the world”. We are to turn our hearts’ affection away from the riches of the world, the rule of the world, and the religion of the world (Deut. 7:2-6, 25-26; 1 Cor. 6:14-71; Rev. 18:4). “The heavenly calling” of which we are now partakers brings us into far better company than we ever knew before. We now have access to and communion with God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit and blessed fellowship with his saints on earth, and even with his saints in heaven (Heb. 12:22-23). God’s house is open to us. The Lord’s Table is open to us. The very throne of God is open to us! What a privilege! We have been called into fellowship with the eternal God!

All who are called into fellowship with the eternal God in Christ are called unto liberty in Christ. "For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another" (Gal. 5:13). We were by nature children of wrath, even as others; but now, in Christ we are freed from all the curse and condemnation of God’s holy law. We lived all the days of our lives as home born slaves, under the dominion of sin; but now, in Christ we have become the servants of righteousness. We spent all our days under the power and influence of Satan; but we are now Christ’s free men. How I thank God for the blessed liberation of grace! Satan, like a strong man armed, held me in a bondage worse than that of Egypt (Deut. 6:20-23; 4:31-39). Grace has set me free! We have been called unto liberty, even “the glorious liberty of the sons of God”! All who are in Christ are free men, just as free as Christ himself.

Being united to Christ by faith, living in fellowship with the Son of God, walking in gospel liberty, believers are people who are called to peace, to be peaceful and to promote peace. For this reason, Paul instructs believers not to attempt to hold an unbelieving husband or wife who wishes to leave them. "If the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases; but God hath called us to peace" (1 Cor. 7:15). We have been called to peace among ourselves, and with all men. "Let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body" (Col. 3:15). Moreover, with regard to ourselves, the call of God is a call to internal peace, peace of mind and peace of conscience; to which all men are utter strangers by nature. There is no peace to the wicked; but God has called us to peace. He has blessed us with a peace which passes all understanding; with peace in the midst of the tribulations of the world; with a peace which the world can neither give nor take away. Our peace is a peace which arises from the blood and righteousness of Christ, and is part of that kingdom of God which is within us, into which we are brought by our heavenly calling.

Don Fortner