Definition:

The act of a person or thing that calls. Essentially for our study a call is a vocation, profession, or trade: What is your calling? It is also a summons: He had a calling to join the church; a strong impulse or inclination: She did it in response to an inner calling. For a believer, it is the call from something, to something, for something and about something…and the something all relates to God.

Brief Explanation:

For the believer, all of us have been called. It may not be to full-time paid preaching/teaching ministry in a church…but we are all called nonetheless. We were called out of darkness into his marvelous light…light is better. We have been called to his church, to be a member in koinonia or fellowship with Christ and one another. We have been called to be conformed to the very image of Christ, and we have been called to serve, according to the gifts and callings of God (more on this under stewardship of time and talent, and the section on Gifts). We all have a choice to do something with the call of God. We can accept or reject, embrace or neglect the call. But we cannot deny we are called for a purpose, as the scripture says.

The Word of God:

2 Timothy 2:19

“Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord abstain from wickedness.”

1 Peter 2: 5,9

“…you  also,  as  living  stones,  are  being  built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called your out of darkness into His marvelous light;”

Hebrews 10:25

“not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more, as you see the day drawing near.”

1 Corinthians 1:26

“For consider your calling, brethren, hat there were no many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; 27 but God has chosen the foolish things for the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things that are strong.”

1 Thessalonians 4:7

“For God has not called us for the purpose of impurity, but in sanctification.”