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Paul, called by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus (1 Corinthians 1:1, NIV).
“Calling” and “will of God” seem synonymous — they are, and they are not.
God has a calling for us. Paul (by the will of God) was called to be an apostle. Personal calling derives from God’s will, as Paul was called to be an apostle and to serve God fully. Paul then walked faithfully in his specific calling as an apostle.
How is God’s will expressed in your calling, or do you know God’s calling? If we don’t know God’s calling, it’s impossible to obey God’s will, as Paul writes, “Do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is” (Ephesians 5:17, ESV).
Whereas “God’s will” can be general (ex., all are called to be saved), calling gets personal; it’s something God wants us to do. For example: Paul = apostle, Grant = pastor; You = ? What is your calling? The Bible teaches that it’s linear or step-by-step. When writing to the Corinthian church, Paul details a plan for finding God’s calling. Note the “do this” and then “do that” pattern in the passage below …
Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. There are varieties of effects, but the same God (1 Corinthians 12:4-6, NASB)
The pattern: gifts, then ministry, then effectiveness. Calling identifies spiritual gifts, then uses those gifts in ministry, and finally increases the effectiveness of that ministry. You need an understanding of your spiritual gifts, then a ministry in which to use them, and finally, do what’s needed to increase impact.
The Path of God’s calling: Gifts, then Ministry, then Effectiveness.
In 2020, knowing that I was a pastor/teacher (my giftedness), God told me to spend the rest of my life developing and furthering the content that I’d learned through 50 years of study, I then began writing Interruptions as one of my primary ministries, and I constantly seek ways to improve the quality of content and means to further the outreach.
Calling isn’t complicated. God wouldn’t reveal in the Bible that His will should be expressed through your calling (gifts, ministry, effect) if He didn’t intend to reveal His will in your calling. Below are three helpful steps …
- Pray to be filled with the knowledge of His will and calling (Colossians 1:9b).
- Seek wisdom to understand gifts, ministry, and greater effectiveness (James 1:5-7).
- Remember to give God the glory. Be thankful and praise Him always (Philippians 4:4-7).
Remember …
Grant, as pastor/teacher, is writing Interruptions and asks you to help with effectiveness
by becoming a member on Substack® and inviting your friends to join as well.