Morning & Evening Devotional Reading–

October 11– Evening

by C. H. Spurgeon, revised and edited by W. C. Neff

“Those whom [God] predestined he also called.”

—Romans 8:30

Along with this passage, Second Timothy 1:9 speaks of God’s calling as a “holy calling.” Now, here is a yardstick by which we may measure our calling. A holy calling is one “not according to our works but according to his own purpose and grace.” This calling forbids all trust in our own doings; it directs us to Christ alone for salvation. And, after we come to him, it purges us from dead works to serve the living and true God. The Scripture says, “Just as He who has called you is holy, so must you be holy.” If you are living in sin, you are not called. But, if you are truly Christ’s, you can say, “Nothing pains me so much as sin; I desire to be rid of it; Lord, help me to be holy.” Is this the panting of your heart?

Elsewhere, in Philippians 3:13 & 14, we are told of “The high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” And I wonder: Is your calling a high calling? Has it ennobled your heart and set it upon heavenly things? Has it elevated your hopes, your tastes, and your desires? Has it changed the nature of your life so that you spend it with God and for God?

Furthermore, Hebrews 3:1 tells us that God’s people are “partakers of the heavenly calling.” A heavenly calling is a call from heaven. If man alone calls you, then you are not called by God. Is your calling of God? And is it a call to heaven as well as from heaven? Unless you are a stranger here and heaven your home, you have not been called with a heavenly calling, for those who have been so called declare that they look for a city with foundations made by God. They are strangers and pilgrims upon the earth.

Is your calling holy, high, and heavenly? If so, then you have been called of God because this is the nature of God’s calling. [M&E]