Called Out

Speak to my weary heart
Strengthen my broken parts
Lead me to Your open arms
Word of truth
Illuminate all these lies
The enemy speaks inside
In freedom I will rise

The song is called Word of Life and it is by Jeremy Camp. I heard it on the radio this week as I was hauling kids back forth to activities for Kids Day Camp. It resonated with me because of a central thought in the chorus.

‘Cause You called me out from the grave
So I can live like I’ve been changed
There is a new song in my soul
And it begins
When I breathe in
Your word of life

God has called us out. He has called us out from death to life, from sin to righteousness, from hopelessness to joy and peace. He has called us out from where we were and brought us to a brand new experience in Jesus.

So let’s do a little word study. The word for church in the New Testament is ekklesia (ἐκκλησία). The preposition ek begins the word. It literally means “out of.” The rest of the word is based on the Greek word, kaleo, which means “to call.” So ekklesia, the church, is literally “the called out ones.”

What are we called out of? Death, pain, sorrow, guilt, fear, condemnation, judgment, and hell. What are we called to? Life, joy, peace, freedom, salvation, and heaven. God never intended that we should meet Him and walk away from that encounter unchanged. Has your life changed since you met Jesus?

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17, AV)

So, if this is true, and we are “called out” then what is that supposed to look like? Just because we have been called out of darkness and into light doesn’t mean that we are perfect. We fail constantly. But the grace of God abounds in us and He constantly draws us back to Himself.

It does mean that we are different now. It means that we have a fresh start in life. “Old things are passed away…” Embrace what God means when He calls us a “new creature.” That is what you are. Now go and live this new life! Turn away from every temptation to fall back into that old way of thinking and living. You’ve been made new. Now, go and sin no more.

Your Pastor,

Bro. Tim Hobbs

“…and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” (Matthew 16:18, AV)