Believers are "the called of Jesus Christ" (Romans 1:6). We are called to Christ through the Gospel. We believe that Christ died for our sins. We believe that Jesus is our risen Lord. While all people of all nations have a general call to Christ, believers have experienced an effective call. It is made effective by the Holy Spirit through faith in Christ our Lord (1 Corinthians 12:3).
We are called by God's grace to Christ. "Through Him we have received grace" (Romans 1:5). Grace is the gift of God, and not of our works (Ephesians 2:8-9). Believers receive grace and peace from God our Father, through the Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 1:7). We receive the grace of God by faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit indwells us with the peace of God (Galatians 5:22).
Believers are called to be saints (Romans 1:7). Every true believer in our Lord Jesus Christ is a saint, not just a special few. The word saint simply means set apart. Believers are set apart by the blood of Jesus and the Holy Spirit. The blood of Jesus was shed at the cross to take away all our sins (1 John 1:7). The Spirit of God seals us (Ephesians 1:13; 4:30).
God calls us to be saints, which means we are being sanctified. There are three words that describe our lives as the called of Jesus Christ. We have been justified by faith in Christ. Believers are being sanctified to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18). We shall be glorified into the likeness of Christ at His return (1 John 3:2).
