God's First Calling - The Holy Calling

In the first of three callings, God calls everyone to continue in a life of holiness through faith. Though not exhaustive, the following scriptures reveal God's holy calling, as well as, the blessings and promises that come with it. 

The Call to Holiness

Mankind is called to holiness through the gospel of Jesus Christ.

2 Thessalonians 2:14 KJV -  "Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ."

Galatians 1:6 KJV - "I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:"

1 Peter 5:10 KJV - "But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you."

1 Corinthians 1:23-26 KJV - "But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:"

1 Peter 2:9 KJV - "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:”

Ephesians 4:4 KJV - “There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;"

Romans 8:28, 30 KJV - "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. ... Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified."

2 Timothy 1:9 KJV - "Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,"

As part of the holy calling, believers are called to be holy, to be in unity, and to be in fellowship with Jesus Christ. Being a part of God's Kingdom and glory means believers walk in the light as he does.

1 Thessalonians 4:7 KJV - "For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness."

1 Thessalonians 2:12 KJV - "That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory."

2 Peter 1:3 KJV - "According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:"

1 Corinthians 1:9 KJV - “God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord."

1 John 1:5-7 KJV - "5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin."

Colossians 3:15 KJV - "And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful."

1 Corinthians 12:27 KJV - "Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular."

Romans 12:5 KJV - "So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another."

Galatians 5:13 KJV - "For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another."

Galatians 5:1 KJV - "Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage."

The holy calling also calls believers to eternal life and eternal inheritance through keeping the faith.

1 Timothy 6:12 KJV -  "Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses."

Hebrews 9:15 KJV - "And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance."