The “Call” of the Body is not a Career or Job, but the Choice of Obedience
In identifiable Biblical order and of course, context, the GODhead "CALLS" everyone, but many will refuse to acknowledge that He is speaking to them. Yeshua has a specific call to the body in Ephesians. Many of the body rejects and refuses to acknowledge that the spirit is talking to them.
In the Septuagint’s version of the New Testament, Jesus’ specific call to His body (the assembly or Kehilah) is rooted in the concepts of the "High Calling" and the "One New Man" outlined in Ephesians. Just as earliest Israel wrestled with refusing GOD's Voice, a rather similar pattern of resistance is evermore happening within the modern body of believers.
The specific call seen in the Epistle to the Ephesians opens the readers (us) up to the reasons many reject it.
I sense the possibility of some spontaneous denominational doctrine combustion on the horizon.
NOTE: The CALL of GOD has everything to do with the body becoming MATURE in spiritual unity. What are you currently thinking?
We will walk through Ephesians longer to open us up to understand a bit more. Per chapter 4:1-4, Paul explicitly begs believers to "walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been summoned."
NOTE: He defines this calling as “maintaining the unity of the Spirit.”
The contextual model is for each of them to answer the call to become FUSED together (absolute and unified oneness). This derives from a word that may be new to some—SHEMA ("Hear and understand that The LORD our GOD, the LORD is One"). Were you aware that Deuteronomy 6 the home base for this?
There is a problem that comes from this “call.” Many in the body reject this by prioritizing denominationalism, “personalbeliefism”, and theological division over covenantal unity. They refuse to acknowledge that Yeshua called for one body, not fractured divisions and groups.
Here is another question that can also lead to a conundrum. What about the CALL to be the one new man? In Ephesians 2:14-16, Yeshua's call is to break down the "dividing wall of hostility" between Judeans (the 12 Tribes) and Gentiles, creating in Himself one new man.
What would a unified body benefit anyone? It would fulfill the prophetic promise that all nations would flow to the GOD of Jacob under a single Covenantal covering in one house.
Why would we NOT want that? Why would we NOT desire what the Father, Son and Holy Spirit desire?!
Peering backward throughout our sordid history and our presently despicable “warring against one another”, as James talks about in chapter 4, parts of the body reject this.
NOTE: Some today have fallen into replacement theology (ignoring GOD's ongoing promises to Israel)
Wait. Everyone gets a turn…
NOTE: Others maintain cultural walls of exclusion, refusing to acknowledge the blended, global family Yeshua died to establish.
Why would we NOT want that? Why would we NOT desire what the Father, Son and Holy Spirit desire?!
This same CALL is for each of us to participate in Spiritual warfare (on behalf of the body’s unity, growth and strength)—NOT to destroy it one limb at a time. We are to fight against internal conflict and enhance spiritual responsibility.
Moving forward, you guessed it, we are still putting Ephesians to work, as we continue down the Letter’s Path towards Ephesians 4:13 and Ephesians 6, the body is called to grow out of spiritual infancy and put on the "whole armor of GOD."
However, many choose the comfort of being passive consumers rather than active, spiritually mature overcomers. They reject the CALL to sanctification, choosing instead to blend into the surrounding culture. There is a WARNING against this in Ephesians 4:17.
Today’s “church” culture (…especially in the western hemisphere), the "call of GOD" is frequently reduced to a professional vocation or career choice, rather than the Hebraic and Biblical definition of an all-inclusive method of a life that is focused on walking out and obeying GOD's Laws, Jesus’ approach, the Spirit’s Guidance and Their Commands.
NOTE: If we men are treating the "CALL" as a “job description” (such as becoming a pastor, missionary, or worship leader), the deeper, covenantal obligation meant for every believer is often hidden and made complicate by those who may NOT have been placed in those positions by the spirit of the Holy GOD. …just sayin’.
NOTE: The Bible uses “CONTRAST” frequently to make a rather CLEAR point!
King Saul vs. the prophet Samuel – 1 Samuel 15
The Contrast: Saul prioritized the work of kingly sacrifice over the walk of listening to GOD's voice—SHEMA.
Yeshua's warning to the "spiritual leaders" – Matthew 7
The Contrast: These individuals were highly successful by modern church standards. They had thriving ‘ministries and positions,’ but, Yeshua calls them Lawless because their everyday walk was completely detached from the Instructions (Torah) of GOD, His Father.
The prophets' war on empty Scriptural (Torah and TANAKH) leadership – found in BOTH Isaiah & Amos
The Contrast: They excelled at the religious "job description," but they refused to acknowledge the fundamental laws of justice and righteousness in their daily lives.
I was able to locate some good stuff, that would probably be a bit clearer. It is the Greek vs. Hebrew view (understanding, theory and perception) of "The Call."
The Modern Vocational View: In the English-speaking world, "having a calling" usually means finding your professional niche or career destiny. If a church member feels "called," the immediate response is often, "Are you going to seminary?" or "What is your ministry role?"
The Biblical View: In the Hebrew scriptures, GOD’s call is a summons into a Covenantal relationship that dictates your entire lifestyle. In Ephesians 4:1, when Paul says to "walk in a manner worthy of the calling," the focus is on the Greek word Anastrepho (and the Hebrew equivalent Halakha), which literally means "how you walk/step."
The call is NOT about what you do for a living, but how you live out GOD's Instructions in your daily conduct.
As a REMINDER, obedience to GOD’ Word is called Halakha (literally, "the walking"). It is the realistic use of GOD's Laws to everyday life (e.g. how you treat your neighbor, handle money, guard your tongue, and keep the Sabbath).
By “us” transforming the CALL into a "vocation," the church culture inadvertently created a two-tiered system: the "specially called" elite (clergy) and the passive audience (laity). That is NO BUENO!
Since this has been done, it moved the focus away from widespread obedience of the Jesus/Torah/Word/TANAKH of GOD and refocuses it on ecclesiastical job performance.
NOTE: In THIS vein of thinking/belief, a person can be a highly successful "vocational minister" while completely failing to walk in the humility, unity, and obedience demanded in Ephesians and the Holy GOD of Israel!
Reducing the call to a vocational function as a subtle loophole to bypass the actual Commandments GOD. It is much easier to focus on a professional role within a religious institution than it is to crucify the flesh, pursue absolute unity with fellow believers, and submit to the moral and spiritual laws of the Creator.
I will take you back a few paragraphs to reshare what Jesus warned them (us) against in Matthew 7:22-23.
Per the Bible, your career or occupation is secondary to your invitation (summons/call).
God does not call people to a career; He calls people out of darkness into His Covenant, demanding a lifestyle of radical obedience to His Word.