Called
To Christ, Called To Liberty, Called To Peace
1 Corinthians
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 par-takers brings us into far better
company than we ever knew before. We now have access to and communion with
the triune God (Father, Son and 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." 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. AMEN.
Grace For Today Radio Message #559
Grace
Baptist Church of Danville - Danville, KY 40422 -
9438 - Donald S. Fortner, Pastor