Called to More: Embracing Your Kingdom Vocation

By Dean Collins

Following Jesus is more than just saying you believe in Him. In reality, it is a vocational choice.

Before the Reformation, the idea of vocation or calling was typically reserved for a more elite class of church leadership. But during the Reformation, people like Martin Luther and others began to write and talk about what became known as the “priesthood of all believers.”

Two passages from 1 Peter became go-to passages for the idea that God calls everyone to kingdom service. Consider the power of these two verses:

“You yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. . . . But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.”
—1 Peter 2:5, 9

Early in Jesus’ ministry, He walked along the shore of the Sea of Galilee and called two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew, to follow Him and become “fishers of men.” This must have been a strange message for two common workers who made their living catching fish. Yet the call to lead others to hear the good news and become participants in the new kingdom Jesus was describing was clear and strong. Peter and, eventually, ten others became leaders of this new movement.

After the resurrection, these men introduced hundreds and even thousands of people from all walks of life and many nations to Jesus and invited them to follow Him. The explosive growth of the church continued for centuries as people from all walks of life committed their lives to Jesus and saw sharing the good news as a natural expression of their discipleship.

By the time of the Reformation, the church had shifted toward a more formally trained and prepared priesthood, or clergy class. Luther and other Reformation leaders introduced and reinforced the idea that every follower of Jesus is part of the royal priesthood of Jesus.

For 20 years, I served as president of Point University, where we trained men and women for ministry positions in the church while also making clear to all our students that, regardless of the career they pursued, they too were called to be ministers and priests in the kingdom of God.

Imagine what could happen if every believer chose to embrace their calling as God’s ambassadors. I suspect we would see growth more similar to what the early church experienced. We do not need to know all the answers to embrace our vocation in Christ. As we read Scripture, pray, and serve others in the name of Jesus, the Holy Spirit will use us to introduce others to the One who has changed our lives.

Father, thank You for calling us to Your Son, Jesus. Today, we choose not only to follow Jesus but also to live out our responsibilities as part of the priesthood of all believers. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Your Time with God’s Word
Matthew 4:18–22; 1 Peter 2:5,9 ESV

Photo by Pexels
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