3745 — The High Calling
By E. H.
What is the "high calling," and why is it called a mystery? Our inquirer makes no reference to any passage of Scripture. The term "high calling" is used in Phil. 3:14,—"I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." This is referred to as the "heavenly calling" in Heb. 3:1, and as the "holy calling" in 2 Tim. 1:9, but in no case is the calling said to be a mystery. The high calling is God's call to character, to crown, and to victory, to be His child and His alone. The "mystery" is God's power in the Gospel which effects the work for which He has called us. As expressed in the context in Philippians 3, "Not as tho I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend [or lay hold of] that for which also I am apprehended [or was laid hold of] of Christ Jesus." God called Paul to salvation, to a special, particular work for Him, and laid hold of him for that call. Paul yields himself to Christ, that the power of the mystery of God may work out in him the very things to which God called him. And this power which thus works is the mystery of the Gospel set forth in Col. 1:26, 27. And in the soul that believes, that mystery develops "Christ in you, the hope of glory." No human mind can fathom it, no human mind can understand it, no human mind can comprehend it; but every soul can by faith apprehend it, or lay hold upon it, and God in His own wisdom and power will do the work.