A God-Centered Life
Spring 2024
In every area of life, words must be defined. Two people can use the same words and mean very different things. This is especially true in religion. For instance, the Roman Catholic church speaks of regeneration and justification, but their definitions do not pass the test of Scripture. Definition is vital!
This issue of Current is a thematic issue, considering the concept of calling. Calling must be defined. A man may say, “I am called of God.” You could be forgiven for presuming that he means he has been called into some form of Christian ministry. But the New Testament doesn’t use “called” in that sense. More often than not, calling refers to the work of God in the sinner to draw them to Christ. Paul uses it that way in Romans 8:30, “Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.” We know from Paul that the sinner is justified by faith. Faith is the action of man laying hold upon Christ. But Romans 8:30 is detailing the work of God. So calling is not synonymous with faith. Rather, calling is God’s work in the heart of man that produces faith in Christ. As the Lord taught, “No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day” (John 6:44). Rev. Fitton’s article expands upon this doctrine.
In acknowledging this biblical usage of calling, I do not want to neglect that the word is used in a different sense. It can refer to a man’s vocation. Paul uses “calling” in both senses in 1 Corinthians 7:20, “Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called.” The latter calling speaks of God’s work in salvation and the former to vocation. The next verse states, “Art thou called being a servant?” (1 Corinthians 7:21) Over time in the church, calling was used of vocation. Medieval Catholicism increasingly restricted the sense of vocation to those involved in church service, like priests, monks, or nuns. The Protestant Reformation recovered the biblical concept that God is sovereign over every Christian and that believers must live their lives, whatever their calling, to the glory of God. This issue contains a variety of articles covering relevant matters for believers today.
One thing stands out when we take the time to consider God’s calling in our lives. It is that our lives must be God-centered. We must understand that, if we are saved, it is God who has worked in our lives. We thus live our lives in happy thankfulness, knowing that we are what we are by the grace of God. Then, having been saved, we live for God, wherever He places us and whatever our role in His kingdom. Calling emphasizes God’s sovereign rule over our lives. The Christian gladly, contentedly submits to that sovereignty and seeks to live for Christ’s sake and the gospel's.
My prayer is that this issue will help readers to consider the work of God in their lives and not waste a moment in His service.
From the Past
The commandment to walk with God is indefinite, without limitation, therefore must be understood to be a walking with him in all things, and that at all times, in all companies, and in all changes, conditions, and estates of your life, whatsoever. To walk with God in general and at large is not sufficient.
You are not dispensed with for any moment of your life: but all the days of your life, and each day of your life, and each hour of that day, and each minute of that hour; you must pass the time, 1 Peter 1:17, the whole time of your dwelling here in fear; even all the day long, saith Solomon, Prov. 13:17. You must endeavor to have a conscience void of offence always, Acts 24:16. You must live the rest of your life, 1 Peter 4:2, not to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.
Henry Scudder, The Christian’s Daily Walk