Calling

God's summoning of individuals and people to himself, so that they will belong to him and serve him in his world. The calling of a believer may involve a specific place, task or vocation in life.

God calls individuals to belong to him and serve him

God calls all people everywhere

Acts 17:30 See also Proverbs 8:4; Isaiah 45:22, Isaiah 55:1; Matthew 9:13, Matthew 11:28–30, Matthew 22:9; John 7:37; Acts 2:39; Romans 10:18; Psalm 19:4

Although God overlooked the ignorance of earlier times, He now commands all people everywhere to repent.

Few respond positively to God's call

Matthew 22:14 See also Isaiah 65:12, Isaiah 66:4; Jeremiah 7:13, Jeremiah 35:17; Matthew 22:2–10 parallel Luke 14:16–24

For many are called, but few are chosen.”

Responding to God's call results in salvation

Hebrews 9:15; Jude 1:1 See also John 5:25, John 10:3; Romans 1:6, Romans 8:28–30, Romans 11:29; 1 Corinthians 1:9, 1 Corinthians 1:24–29, 1 Corinthians 7:18–22; Galatians 1:6; Ephesians 4:1; Philippians 3:14; 2 Thessalonians 1:11, 2 Thessalonians 2:14; 1 Timothy 6:12; Hebrews 3:1; 1 Peter 5:10; 2 Peter 1:3, 2 Peter 1:10; Revelation 17:14

Therefore Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, now that He has died to redeem them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant.

Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and a brother of James, To those who are called, loved by God the Father, and kept in Jesus Christ:

God calls Christians to live differently

2 Timothy 1:9; 1 Peter 2:9 1 Corinthians 7:15; Colossians 3:15; Galatians 5:13 serving one another; Ephesians 1:18, Ephesians 4:4; 1 Peter 2:20–21, 1 Peter 3:9; 1 Thessalonians 4:7

He has saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works, but by His own purpose and by the grace He granted us in Christ Jesus before time began.

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.

God called particular individuals to do specific tasks at specific times

Abraham: Genesis 12:1–3; Isaiah 51:2; Hebrews 11:8; Exodus 3:4 Moses; 1 Samuel 3:4–10 Samuel; Isaiah 6:8 Isaiah; Isaiah 41:2, Isaiah 45:4; Isaiah 42:6, Isaiah 49:1; Jeremiah 1:4–5 Jeremiah; Hosea 1:2 Hosea; Amos 7:15 Amos; Jonah 1:1–2, Jonah 3:1–2; Matthew 4:18–22 parallel Mark 1:16–20; Luke 5:2–11; John 1:35–42; Acts 13:2 Barnabas and Paul; Romans 1:1; 1 Corinthians 1:1; Galatians 1:15

God called a people, Israel, to serve him in a special way

Isaiah 43:1 See also Hosea 11:1–2

But now, this is what the LORD says— He who created you, O Jacob, and He who formed you, O Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine!

The believer's place in life is understood to be a calling

1 Corinthians 7:17 See also 1 Corinthians 7:20, 1 Corinthians 7:24

Regardless, each one should lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him and to which God has called him. This is what I prescribe in all the churches.