Grace Notes – Gracious Calling
“With this in view, we constantly pray for you, that our God will count you worthy of your calling [to faith] and with [His] power fulfill every desire for goodness, and complete [your] every work of faith, so that the name of our Lord Jesus will be glorified in you [by what you do], and you in Him, according to the [precious] grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 AMP
Grace Perspective:
Calling in this context is a divine invitation to embrace the gracious gift of salvation in Christ Jesus. Paul, who wrote this epistle to the church in Thessalonica, begins the verse by telling them of the earnest prayer offered on their behalf – prayers that God will count them worthy of their calling.
Being worthy of the calling to our faith in Christ means we display God’s goodness. His gracious goodness, first and foremost, saves us from the power of darkness – Hell. We find the same word for goodness in this passage in Galatians 5:22, which describes the fruit of the Spirit. Because of God’s power at work within us, we do the good works He plans for us to do. Our calling is to display God’s goodness – His steadfast love, mercy, and grace to those around us. God gets the glory as His grace flows from us into the lives of those around us.
Touch of Grace:
What has God called you to do?
How are you fulfilling God’s call for your life?
Grace Application:
The invitation, or calling, that God extends to us through Christ Jesus is the most important one we’ll ever receive. Our response to this invitation impacts our lives for all eternity. Once we embrace the gift of salvation in Christ, our lives are marked by God’s goodness.
Though our calling is to show God’s goodness to those around us, He gives us different gifts to reveal it to those around us. The book of Romans highlights these unique gifts, “Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to use them accordingly: if [someone has the gift of] prophecy, [let him speak a new message from God to His people] in proportion to the faith possessed; if service, in the act of serving; or he who teaches, in the act of teaching; or he who encourages, in the act of encouragement; he who gives, with generosity; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy [in caring for others], with cheerfulness.” Romans 12:6-8 AMP. Your unique gifts are a testament to God’s grace and a vital part of His plan for you.
As we use God’s gift to fulfill His calling, we need to be careful not to compare our gifts to others. Comparing our calling to another believer’s will steal our joy and inhibit the goodness of God from being shown. What God has called you to do is His unique plan, so He is glorified in and through you. Instead of comparing our gifts, let’s encourage one another to use our gifts so that all those around us see God’s glory fully displayed.
In His Grace,
Dawn
Prayer
Gracious Father, I come to You in the precious name of Jesus Christ, my Savior, thankful that You have called me for Your purposes. Help me to walk worthy of the calling You have planned for me and to be faithful in using my gifts to show Your goodness to those in my life. May Your goodness strengthen my faith and the faith of those around me for Your glory. Amen
**Today, as you read this, I pray each of you will know you are in Christ Jesus. If you have any doubts, please call out to God so that all doubts can be erased. Today is a good day to be assured of Salvation in Christ Jesus. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch with me at graceisdawning@gmail.com**