The High Calling of God – Part 2

As mentioned in the previous study, God’s high or topmost call to us is for us to be conformed to the image of Jesus Christ. Let us examine the Scriptures to prove this further. Romans 8:29-30 says, “For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified”.  Our whole salvation experience, including the end result of our salvation, is shown in this Scripture. Firstly, the reason God called us even before we came into existence is because of His intention to conform us to the image of Jesus. And the process He takes us through after we have been called achieves this intention. He justifies us after the call, i.e., by faith in Jesus He forgives our sins and makes Jesus Christ our righteousness (1 Corinthians 1:30, 2 Corinthians 5:21), making as become just as if we never sinned (Romans 3:19-26; Ephesians 1:3-7; 2 Corinthians 5:18-21). After this, He glorifies us. Jesus Christ is the glory of God (Revelations 3:23). Therefore, when we are glorified we are made to conform to the image of Jesus Christ. This is the ultimate end of our calling and salvation.

It is common in Christian circles to learn that we are called to the ministry. Even so, the Bible teaches that the call to ministry is not an end in itself but rather a means for us to be conformed to the image of Christ. Ephesians 4: 11-13 teaches thus, “And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. The reason God called some as apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers was so that they will equip or train the entire church to do the work of the ministry in order to build up the body of Christ. And this is to continue until we all come to the unity of the faith and measure up to the complete stature of Jesus Christ. It is not what we call the five-fold ministry alone who are supposed to do the work of the ministry. Rather, they are supposed to train the church for the work of the ministry. What then are you doing in the house of God? Ask God to show you the ministry to which He has called you, and have a healthy understanding of your ministry. It is for you to contribute your part to build up God’s church until we are all conformed to full image of Jesus Christ (see also Ephesians 4:14-16). This is the ultimate reason for your calling and ministry.

Being conformed to the image of Christ is the prerequisite and ultimate requirement to dwell with Jesus for all eternity. The Bible teaches that the only way any of us will see Jesus as He is when He appears is when we are like Him (see 1 John 3:2). Therefore take heed how you live. Look unto Jesus and be conformed to His image. For when we look to Him, who is the Word and the glory of God, we are transformed to the same image from glory to glory (cf. 2 Corinthians 3:18).

To be continued…

Kwadwo Omari, PhD
© June 18, 2017.