Saved AND Called

So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, who has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time,
2 Timothy 1:8-9 NIV

As I was reading this passage this morning, the Lord reminded me that each and every one of us is not only saved, but also called. Too many Christians live their lives under the umbrella of the former and forget about the latter.

If you've been in Christian circles for anytime at all, you've probably heard the following at least half a dozen times:

"God has a special plan for your life."

It's said so much, it's almost become cliche in Christianese. However, no matter how redundant it becomes in your life, it's still true. Perhaps the reason why we hear it so much is because it's not yet been lived out in our lives.

"... called us to a holy life..."

The word holy (hagios in the Greek) means "set apart for a purpose." In other words, Paul is telling us that God has called us to a life that has been set apart for a specific purpose. For some, that means vocational ministry. For most, it simply means that God has designed you uniquely with specific gifts and talents to serve the Body of Christ and glorify Him. Whether serving in ministry vocationally or not, let it be a calling in your life. Let it be taken seriously enough that you invest yourself in it. Grow in it. Learn from it. Let God shape you and transform you in it while blessing others through it.