MY son has many nicknames. When he was young, his older sisters thought he was very cute, so they called him by all sorts of names. They are mostly affectionate names, though of course sometimes teasing names too. Now as he has grown, his nicknames have also changed. Each of us have a different nickname for him, and he also knows who uses which name to call him. And like all children, he can also differentiate whether his name is called in anger or in love.

How heart-warming it is to be able to call a loved one by name, and have that loved one respond with appropriate actions.

“I have summoned you by name; you are mine.” (Isaiah 43:1)
This is what the Lord of hosts says. How does God call us? There are two ways. The first is a general calling; the other is an effectual calling. A general calling is when God uses his creation and providence to call on people to acknowledge his existence and his works. “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” (Psalms 19:1) For example, you go hiking one day early in the morning, and you see colours of cloud streaking across the sky. The sight takes your breath away, and you are overwhelmed by the majesty of creation and the realisation of the insignificance of humans. This thought is usually considered as a general calling from God.

Yet there is another type of calling, the effectual calling, which is related to the Gospel. This calling comes from the Trinity God – the Father calls us lovingly to the saving grace in Jesus Christ through the work of the Holy Spirit. This calling of God enables those who hear the Gospel to understand it, accept it, respond in repentance and be born again.

God’s calling is the beginning of a new life, “out of darkness into his wonderful light” (1 Peter 2:9); it is to live out a holy life, “but just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do” (1 Peter 1:15); it is to suffer with Christ, “To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you” (1 Peter 2:21); it is to be with Him in glory, “…called you to his eternal glory in Christ” (1 Peter 5:10).

Using modern terms, the general calling is “sent to all”; the effectual calling is “sent to one”.

As the New Year approaches, have you heard God’s calling? Have you responded?

Winnie Chan, Local Preacher of Wesley Methodist Church, Sibu