Consider Your Calling

Text: 1 Corinthians 1:26

Paul spoke to the Corinthians of “the word of the cross” (1 Corinthians 1:18) and said that many rejected it, but they had accepted it. However, they needed to remain faithful. To encourage them to remain faithful, he told them, “Consider your calling” (1 Corinthians 1:26). We must do the same if we hope to please the Lord and be saved in the end.

What is Our Calling?

  • We are called through the gospel (2 Thessalonians 2:14) – the gospel would be preached throughout the world (Mark 16:15); it is God’s power for salvation (Romans 1:16)
  • However, to the world, the gospel is foolishness (1 Corinthians 1:18) – but to those being saved it is the power of God; the difference is our reaction to it
  • As we are called through the gospel (2 Thessalonians 2:14), we are called to conform to the gospel – the foundation of the gospel is the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ (1 Corinthians 15:3-4); we must conform to this (Romans 6:3-6)
  • This is our calling – to believe in Christ, obey Him, and walk in such a way as to please Him; some will answer this call, but many will reject it

Those Who Reject the Call

  • Those who are wise according to the flesh – they follow after the wisdom of the world; we cannot come to know God through worldly wisdom (1 Corinthians 1:21; cf. Jeremiah 10:23); knowledge makes arrogant (1 Corinthians 8:1); they want what others do not have and cannot obtain
  • Those who are mighty according to the flesh – word means powerful or strong; it is the idea that one, due to his strength, is in need of thing (cf. Revelation 3:17); he thinks too highly of himself (Romans 12:3) and does not think he needs God (cf. 2 Chronicles 26:16)
  • Those who are noble according to the flesh – means to be born of a noble family; the Jews took pride in their heritage, yet being a descendant of Abraham is not enough (Matthew 3:9); this pride in heritage is not limited to the Jews (pride in family, race, nation, economic status, etc.); any reason we have to boast in the flesh is worthless (Philippians 3:4-8)

Those Who Answer the Call

  • Those who accept the wisdom from above – wisdom from God (Proverbs 8:22); can be obtained by following the truth of God’s word (Proverbs 8:32-33; 23:23); we must walk as those who are wise (Ephesians 5:15); done by obeying God’s word (James 3:13; 1:22)
  • Those who are strong in the Lord – we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us (Philippians 4:13); be strong in the Lord by putting on the full armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-17); we are up against a powerful enemy (Ephesians 6:12), but we overwhelmingly conquer through Christ (Romans 8:36-37)
  • Those who have been born again as children of God – great privilege to be His children (1 John 3:1); those who believe Christ have the right to become children of God (John 1:12), though not all exercise that right (John 12:42-43); we can be born again (John 3:3-5); this allows us to obtain an eternal inheritance (1 Peter 1:2-4)

Conclusion

  • Paul told the brethren in Corinth to consider their calling – we must consider ours
  • We have been called through the gospel – called to live up to God’s standard found in it
  • Many reject the call of the gospel – those who value the things of the world
  • Do not be like them – remember how much better it is in Christ (wisdom, might, nobility)