Articles
We Are Called By The Gospel
There are some folks that believe that God calls in a very special way. Either by miracle or a personal experience from the Holy Spirit, or some other special way.
Let us use the Scriptures to confirm the way God calls His people. Would it not make God a person of confusion if He called folks in different ways?
In the Roman letter God early on through the Apostle Paul tells the Christians at Rome the way He calls: "For I am not ashamed of the Gospel, for it is the POWER OF GOD FOR SALVATION to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek." (Romans 1:16)
This tells us God uses the way of the Gospel to give us salvation. So, how do we take advantage of the Gospel? Jesus tells us, "And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to all creation. He who has believed (faith) and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved (rejected) shall be condemned." (Mark 16:15,16)
Paul clearly informed the Thessalonians the way God calls folks out of darkness into His light:
"But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth. And it was for this He called you THROUGH OUR GOSPEL, THAT you may gain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ." (2 Thessalonians 2:13,14)
"Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God." (Romans 10:17) Notice with me how James describes the kind of faith we must have to please God.
"But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar? You see that faith was working with his works, as a result of the works faith was PERFECTED." (James 2:20-22)
"And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him." (Hebrews 11:6)
Notice that in that chapter of Hebrews all those folks mentioned demonstrate their faith with their works. Faith perfected!
We are, just as they were, are called by the GOSPEL, obey that gospel by believing (faith), and living a faithful life thereafter. Not too hard to understand.
The Ephesian letter tells us there is ONE FAITH. That is the one that God will accept. It has to be according to His teachings (through His Son) and nothing added or taken away. (2 John 9) Let us always be sure we are doing things God's way. Thanks and have a great evening.
Ross
