Are we “called by God”?

One of the interesting ideas in scripture, and especially the New Testament, is being “called of God.” Today a person will often claim “God called them.” Others do not believe they were “called by God.”

What is the truth about being called by God?

The Bible does associated a “calling” with Christianity, but it is not quite what many allege. Paul spoke of Christians being called in places like 1 Cor. 7:20. In this context “called” is a metonymy for “conversion” (becoming a Christian). If the text is carefully studied, readers will notice from verse 22 that this “calling” occurs in Christ!

According to the Bible, a person is “called by the gospel” (2 Thess. 2:14). When a person obeys the information in the New Testament (Heb. 5:8-9), they are then “one of the called” (1 Cor. 7:22). Rather than use special dreams, messages, visions, etc., the Bible says the gospel is God’s power to salvation (Rom. 1:16). God’s word calls people because the word of God is the Spirit’s power (Eph. 6:17).

Do not be fooled by the false claims made by people who say “God called them.”