The On High Calling
Stephen emphasizes the profound truth that as Christians, our calling is not merely about personal salvation or individual service, but about being united as the body of Christ. He highlights that God has called us before the foundation of the world, according to His purpose and grace, to be part of His eternal plan. Our primary calling is to be, not just to do; we are called to be the body of Christ, containing His fullness and expressing His glory. This calling is corporate, involving all believers united in one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God. Stephen stresses that understanding and realizing this calling should revolutionize our lives, giving us purpose, direction, and urgency. He urges believers to be committed, to surrender their freedom and rights, and to walk worthy of this high calling through humility, meekness, and love. Maintaining the unity of the Spirit and diligently guarding it is essential, especially given our natural differences. Every member must fulfill their part in the body, functioning faithfully to build up the church and manifest Christ’s fullness. Ultimately, Stephen reminds us that our calling is practical and life-changing, demanding dedication and a deep awareness of our divine purpose in Christ.
Outline of Main Points
Our calling is divine, eternal, and rooted in God's purpose and grace.
The primary calling is to be the body of Christ, containing His fullness and expressing His glory.
Calling is corporate, involving unity in Spirit, hope, Lord, faith, baptism, and God.
Understanding our high calling should motivate us to live purposefully and urgently.
We must be committed, surrendering our rights and living in humility, meekness, and love.
Maintaining the unity of the Spirit is vital, despite our differences.
Every member must faithfully fulfill their part to build up the body of Christ.
Our calling is practical, affecting daily life, work, and relationships in the church.
Realization of this calling requires divine revelation and a life dedicated to Christ.
13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: 14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: 16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; 3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; 5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
15 Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, 16 Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; 17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: 18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, 19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, 20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, 21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: 22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, 23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
