Is it obvious or is it a subtle, internal process?
Answer:
Your question is important, because nothing is more important than God's calling. Consider the majesty and greatness of what it means. The apostle Peter referred to this magnificent calling in his first letter:
"... You are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy" (1 Peter 2:9-10, emphasis added throughout).
Peter's inspired description of the Christian calling helps us to comprehend the majesty of God's salvation. This great calling is made possible by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ for our sins and the forgiveness He made freely available.
The apostle Paul underscored Peter's approach by describing the Church (those chosen ones whom God has called out of this world) as a spiritual building joined together and growing into a holy temple in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:20-22).
However, it is God the Father who initially calls His chosen ones out of this world of spiritual darkness into His marvelous light (John 6:44, 65). One of the signs that God may be calling you is that you are beginning, however gradually, to truly understand the ScripturesThe divinely inspired writings of both the Old and New Testaments. The term Scripture is used in the New Testament to refer to both the Hebrew Bible (Luke 24:44-45) and the new apostolic writings accepted as inspired (2 Peter 3:16; 1 Timothy 5:18). with a depth and dimension that you never experienced before. You have begun to understand the mysteries of the Kingdom of God (Matthew 13:10-11).
If God is calling you, you also will have awakened to the need for change in your personal life, to bring it into line with the godly standards and values shown in the ScripturesThe divinely inspired writings of both the Old and New Testaments. The term Scripture is used in the New Testament to refer to both the Hebrew Bible (Luke 24:44-45) and the new apostolic writings accepted as inspired (2 Peter 3:16; 1 Timothy 5:18). —"to live a life worthy of the calling you have received" (Ephesians 4:1, New International Version). The BibleThe books (Greek, "biblia" ) that are acknowledged as canonical (authoritative) by the early Christian Church. It includes both the books of the ancient Hebrew prophets and those of the apostolic witnesses to Jesus Christ. refers to this process as repentance. Luke called it "repentance to life" (Acts 11:18).
Obviously there is much more to this miraculous process of the Christian calling than we can cover here. To learn more, request our comprehensive booklet that explains how acceptance of that calling ultimately leads to salvation and eternal life in the Kingdom of God. This free booklet, Transforming Your Life: The Process of Conversion, expounds these concepts in much greater detail. The title of the first chapter is: "Who Are God's 'Called, Chosen and Faithful' People?" We encourage all of our readers to request or download this crucial booklet.
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