“Whereunto Ye Are Called.”
By D. F. Quinby
WHAT is our calling? and what the hope of our calling? Let us look at the condition in which man is found when called. What is it? In a state of unlikeness to God, a state of transgression and sin, going astray until the habit of wrong-doing is fully formed, and the whole man is corrupted—the whole head sick, and the whole heart faint. From this state, men are called to give the heart to God. “My son, give me thine heart,” is the command. “They are called to believe in the truth of God and his faithfulness, and to rest all upon the merits of Jesus Christ.” Without this, there is, and must ever be, an utter failure; there can be no life and no salvation. Who can save himself, or give a ransom for his brother? Not one. The language of every truly well-informed mind is, “None but Jesus can do helpless sinners good.” Let every one say, There is no help for me but in a full reliance upon Him who came to save lost man. Each one is called to give the whole heart—not a part. He is called to devote the whole of his existence to the work and service of God, and this is to be done without any reservation. All, all must be laid upon the altar. Is it so with the writer? Is it so with the reader of this article? Oh! for a consecration of heart and life to God. Then shall we receive of his fullness and grace; but never, while unbelief dwells in our hearts. We must have faith, strong faith, that knows nothing of impossibilities when God and Christ promise. Then shall we enter into the possession of the proffered grace, and realize its abundance and its fullness. It is a present faith that will bring us into the enjoyment of a present salvation. None but believers can know God’s infinite power to save. None but believers will ever feel all the influence of his love and grace. We must walk out by faith on the living promises of the living and eternal Father, as offered through his glorious Son. Let us do this, and do it now. We are called to holy living. “Be ye holy; for I am holy.” Who can foretell the glorious result of holy living? What may we not do even now? How many may we influence to come to Jesus by a holy example and a godly life? How many of God’s dear ones may we encourage in their pilgrimage as they witness the power of grace manifested through us by the Holy One. And then, what an eternal weight of glory shall we be called to enter upon at the end of the race! One who was called of God, after a life of great devotion in the midst of the severest trials and difficulties, stripes, imprisonments, and in deaths oft, saw a crown of life and immortality laid up for him; and not for himself only, but for all them that love his appearing. Do we love the appearing of our Saviour? Then let us press continually toward the mark, for the prize of our high calling.