We continue our series on finding and fulfilling God’s will for your life. This remains one of the most vital subjects for every believer who desires to live with purpose. Yesterday we looked at surrender as the starting point. Today I want to press into two powerful words that appear throughout Scripture and show us how to move from potential to actual fulfillment of that calling.
**As it is written in Romans 1:1**, “Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God.”
Paul introduces himself not primarily as an apostle, though he was one. He calls himself a bondservant of Jesus Christ. In the original language this carries the sense of a willing love slave, someone who chooses to serve the Master for life. It reminds me of the old song about having your ear pierced to show permanent commitment to your Lord. Paul was called to be an apostle and separated to the gospel of God. These two words—called and separated—hold the key to understanding how we step into God’s will.
The calling comes from God. We have all been called out of darkness into His marvelous light. We have been called out of the world and into relationship with Him. As written in Colossians 1:13, He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love. Yet beyond this general calling there is a specific, personal calling on every life. There is a ministry calling placed upon each of us.
Some imagine that only apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers have callings. Paul makes clear in Ephesians 4:11-12 that these gifts exist to equip the saints for the work of ministry so the whole body can function. Every believer has a part to play. Paul says he was called before the foundation of the world. God placed a calling on his life even before he was in his mother’s womb. The calling is one hundred percent from God.
**As it is written in Acts 13:2**, “As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’”
Many are called, but few are chosen. Few are separated. This is where so many believers remain stuck. The calling is the potential. Separation is the release into that calling. It is the moment when God, often through the confirmation of His people, ordains and launches you into what He has prepared.
I remember the story of David. He was called and anointed to be king while still a young shepherd. He carried the heart and anointing of a king, yet for many years he was not released into that full position. Before facing Goliath, David stepped momentarily into his future calling, defeated the giant with kingly authority, and then returned to tending sheep. He did not try to seize the throne. He waited for God’s timing.
Separation often involves recognition by others. In the church we may ordain someone into ministry, but that is different from merely assigning tasks. Human choices can place people in roles, but heavenly callings require heavenly release. When the Holy Spirit said “separate to Me” Paul and Barnabas, it was time for them to be sent out into the work.
**As it is written in 1 Corinthians 13:11**, “When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.”
To move from called to separated we must grow up. Paul speaks of three areas: speaking, understanding, and thinking. He divorced himself from childish ways. Maturity is essential. Without it God will not release us fully into the calling.
Character is equally vital. Gifting can open doors and attract attention, but character holds the gift. We have seen gifted men and women rise quickly only to fall because their character could not sustain the weight. A handkerchief can carry anointing and a donkey can prophesy, but God looks for character that matches the calling. He will not release someone into greater responsibility until their inner life can carry it.
Training is another key part of the process. The best biblical model is not simply reading books or attending school, though those can help. It is learning alongside someone further along the path. In Romania years ago I often saw an older horse pulling a cart with a young colt tied beside it. The young horse learned obedience, timing, and endurance by staying close to the mature one even when it contributed little at first.
Jesus trained His disciples this way. Paul trained Timothy the same. If you sense a call to pastor, spend time with a pastor. If you are called to evangelize, win souls alongside an evangelist. Hang around those who are already doing it. Let them teach, correct, and form you.
**As it is written in 1 Samuel 30:6**, “Now David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and his daughters. But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God.”
Perseverance matters deeply. Many are called but few are separated because they quit when opposition comes or when no one else believes in their calling. David faced a season where even his own men turned against him. His brothers had doubted him earlier. Yet he strengthened himself in the Lord and held onto the calling. The very next day everything shifted and he stepped into greater recognition.
If you are called to evangelize, just win souls. Do not print business cards or try to convince people of your title. If you are called to pastor, love and nurture people right where you are. If you are called to the prophetic, hear from God accurately and let your life demonstrate it. Do not force recognition. Serve faithfully. Sooner or later people will see the fruit and release you into the fullness of what God has for you.
I believe this process—called and then separated—reveals how God brings us into the fulfillment of His will. The calling is His initiative. The separation requires our cooperation through maturity, character, training, and perseverance. When we walk this out we move from potential to powerful demonstration of His purpose.
This teaching only begins to touch the depth available to us. Tomorrow I will open up time for questions and answers on this subject. I encourage you to study these passages and ask the Holy Spirit to show you where you are in this journey. Are you living in the reality of your calling? Have you been separated into it? The most glorious life awaits those who press on until they are fully released into everything God has prepared.
Selah.
**Scriptures for Study:** Romans 1:1, Acts 13:2, Ephesians 4:11-12, Colossians 1:13, 1 Corinthians 13:11, 1 Samuel 30:6, Psalm 37:23, Romans 12:1-2, Jeremiah 10:23, Galatians 1:15, 2 Timothy 1:9, Ephesians 2:10, Proverbs 18:16, 1 Timothy 4:14, 2 Timothy 2:2, Hebrews 5:12-14, Galatians 6:9, 1 Peter 4:10, Romans 8:28-30, Philippians 2:13, Proverbs 27:17, 2 Timothy 4:5, 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, James 1:2-4, Psalm 32:8.
**10 Questions for Reflection:**
1. How clearly do I understand the specific calling God has placed on my life?
2. In what areas am I still operating in childish thinking or behavior that needs to be put away?
3. Does my character currently match the level of gifting or calling I sense?
4. Who has God placed in my life as a mentor or mature example I can learn from?
5. Am I faithfully serving in my calling even when no one else recognizes it yet?
6. Where might I be trying to force recognition or release instead of waiting on God?
7. How have I strengthened myself in the Lord during times when others doubted my calling?
8. What practical steps of training or apprenticeship am I taking right now?
9. In what ways am I living as a bondservant who has chosen full commitment to Jesus?
10. What would separation into my full calling look like in the next season of my life?
