We may think of the called as those who are called to be pastors or missionaries. Yet, those who are the called of God in the New Testament believe on our Lord Jesus Christ. God calls us out of darkness into the light of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 2:9).
The called of God respond to the gospel of Christ with repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 20:21). The gospel is for whoever, but not all will respond (Romans 10:13). Those who do are the called of God (Romans 8:28).
The called of God are delivered out of spiritual darkness into the light of Christ. Our eyes of understanding are opened to Christ crucified for our sins and raised from the dead for our justification. We are enabled to live in the light. "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 cleanses us from all sin" (1 John 1:7).
The called of God know the power and wisdom of Christ (1 Corinthians 1:24). When God calls us in this sense, then we respond to the gospel by turning to God through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Our hearts are changed by the grace of God. Certainly, the gospel is preached to all, but the effective call is when we repent, or turn to God, through faith in Christ.
