Our Defining Priority (1)

You are witnesses, and God also, how devoutly and justly and blamelessly we behaved ourselves among you who believe; as you know how we exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you, as a father does his own children, that you would walk worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory. 1 Thessalonians 2.10-12

His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue…Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1.3, 10, 11

A life-changing call
“Dad, it’s for you.”

I’d heard the phone from in the den, where I had just sat down to relax a bit before supper. I was exhausted. It had been a long and not particularly fruitful day. I just wanted to put my head back and do nothing.

“Dad! Dad, did you hear me? The call is for you.”

At Ashley’s insistence, I gathered myself up out of my chair and went to the kitchen, taking the phone from her hand. “Hello?” I asked, not very enthusiastically.

“Hello, my name is Charles Colson, and I work for a ministry called Prison Fellowship.”

I literally pulled the phone away from my ear and looked at it curiously. The voice continued, “A friend suggested I call you, because I’m looking for some help.”

We talked. I agreed to drive over to Reston to visit with him. And that began 26 years of an exciting, highly satisfying, far-ranging, and life-changing friendship and ministry, one that continued through Chuck’s death ten years ago into the work God has given Susie and me to do today.

Chuck called out of the blue. He didn’t know me, nor I him, except by his reputation, of course. But his warmth and sincerity, and the possibility of serving Jesus with Chuck, piqued my interest.

I’m glad I answered that call.

Called by God
How much more exciting, satisfying, far-ranging, and life-changing is it to hear God calling us to Himself! You may not know Him all that well, but He knows you, and He is calling you. If you are a believer in Jesus, you have heard His voice. At some point, He turned the lights on in your soul, enlivening your heart, illuminating your mind, resorting your values and priorities so that you saw Jesus for Who He is, what He did for you, the promises He makes, and the forgiveness, joy, hope, and life He offers. You heard God calling you to Jesus.

And you came when you were called.

Do you remember that time? Was your heart strangely warmed? Your mind thrilled with new possibilities?  Your soul disburdened and relieved? And did you feel the rush of the Spirit into your soul, and hear your own voice crying, “Abba! Father!” as you, by the power of that same Spirit, answered God’s call to come to Jesus?

And have you found that call to have been true and reliable and everything you’d hoped it would be in knowing Jesus and His salvation?

God called, and you heard, and it was glorious! And I have some good news for you.

God is still calling. Calling you. Calling continuously, with the promise of greater righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit than you have ever known.

God is calling
Paul is clear in 1 Thessalonians 2.12 that God calls continuously to His children. There is no verb here, just a participle, καλοῦντος (kalountos)—“calling”. This word describes God. He is the calling God. God is calling. He is calling you. He is calling you to His Kingdom and glory, and He is doing so every day, at every moment, for every aspect of your life, all your time and strength and possessions and skills. God wants to glorify Himself in you by bringing you ever-deeper in His Kingdom presence.

The overarching, overriding call on our lives is to the Kingdom and glory of God. We are called to live within His dominion, under His rule, and in every way to honor and serve Him. Whatever else we do in life, whatever vocation we pursue, however we use our time, answering God’s call to His Kingdom and glory must be our defining priority.

We must be daily renewed in this high and holy calling because we are prone to drift and wander from it. Thus Paul urged and charged and encouraged the Thessalonians to walk and live always in a manner that reflects and refracts their Kingdom-and-glory calling from the Lord.

Ever-increasing glory awaits at the end of God’s calling, and it can accrue to us throughout our journey with Him. But we need to make that calling sure. Whatever God wants, however He is calling us to serve Him, we must answer His call so that we can know His Kingdom presence in all we do.

I am certain that God is calling you today. Calling you to His Kingdom and glory. In everything. At every moment. With promises and blessings of glory and rejoicing such as are greater than you have ever dared to ask or think.

I am sure God is calling you. Will you make that calling sure?

For reflection or discussion
1. What do you remember about when God first called you to Himself? How did you “hear” Him calling?

2. Would you describe yourself as open to God’s calling at every moment of your life? Explain.

3. What does it mean to make God’s calling sure?

Next steps – Preparation: Spend time in prayer, mostly listening for the Lord as you think about the God Who calls. How does He call? To what is He calling you? Listen and wait, then give Him thanks and praise for continuing to call you to His Kingdom and glory.

T. M. Moore

A companion book to this study of “Kingdom Presence” is available at our bookstore. Learn more and listen to an excerpt from The Kingdom Turn, by clicking here. Then order your free copy.

Please prayerfully consider supporting The Fellowship of Ailbe with your prayers and gifts. We ask the Lord to move and enable many more of our readers to provide for the needs of our ministry. Please seek Him in prayer concerning your part in supporting our work. You can contribute online, via PayPal or Anedot, or by sending a gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, 103 Reynolds Lane, West Grove, PA 19390.