Humans dislike being told what to do or commanded to follow. If humans had the option to follow God through perfection and affection, which would result in a dying martyr, they would not choose to do so. Instead, they would opt for an easier path. Let’s be honest, much of the 20th-century evangelism centered around human choice. It’s up to you; God is knocking on your heart’s door, and all you need to do is open it.
Most humans have an issue with God being absolutely sovereign. They only want Him to be sovereign over certain things. God’s sovereignty and man’s responsibility aren’t at odds with each other. We think they are. Because we don’t like the inability to have a say in salvation. Charles Spurgeon, “I do not believe that God ever reconciles these two truths; they do not need any reconciliation. They are two lines that are so nearly parallel that the human mind which pursues them farthest will never discover that they converge; but they do meet, and they will meet somewhere in eternity, close to the throne of God, whence all truth doth spring.”
In Mark 1:16-20, “As He was going along by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew, the brother of Simon, casting a net in the sea; for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men. Immediately they left their nets and followed Him. Going on a little farther, He saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who were also in the boat mending the nets. Immediately He called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants, and went away to follow Him.” The word called here indicates “to call by name,” and the response was of the men whom Jesus called; they came. We see no indications of doubt or questioning the call.
Theologically, there are two terms used to describe the call of God: the “general” call and the “internal” call. I find this in the text of John 6 where we find many of His disciples following Him. However, when Jesus spoke of being the bread of life, John 6:66 “As a result of this many of His disciples withdrew and were not walking with Him anymore.” Why? Because the truth was hard. The truth was going to require a change. Therefore, they liked the benefits, but when it came to following Him in suffering and persecution, they turned and left. They heard the general call, but did not have an internal call.
Many people attend church, hear the gospel preached, and remain unresponsive. However, someone sitting right next to them may be deeply moved and have their eyes opened. While some may be knowledgeable about theology, the “called” refers to the call of God on your life, not a specific calling to be a missionary or pastor. It’s the moment when you weren’t expecting anything in your life—perhaps you went to church that day or talked to a friend—and the Holy Spirit opened your eyes. You realize you were merely going through the motions of religion. Now, it’s different. It’s deeply ingrained in your heart. You no longer care about worldly matters; they no longer hold the sway they once did.
When I read about the calling of the disciples, they weren’t seeking a new venture. They had jobs, income, and a family business. It wasn’t something they actively pursued that day. In Mark, we find that they were fishermen working that day. Jesus invited them to follow Him, and the text states, “Immediately they left their nets and followed Him” (Mark 1:18). They didn’t question, plan, or have an agenda; they simply followed. Why? Because the call of God came, and they couldn’t resist it. If God calls you, you will come. In Reformed circles, this is referred to as “irresistible grace.” In essence, if it’s God’s will, it cannot be thwarted.
Why does this matter in our lives? One cannot raise themselves from a dead spiritual state. Ephesians 2:1 states, “And you were dead in your trespasses and sins.” Therefore, a dead person must be raised to life. How does that happen? Ephesians 2:4-5 explains, “But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved).” He made us alive, and He called us to be alive. When Jesus called Lazarus from the grave, he emerged. He didn’t choose to remain in the grave.
What joy and hope it is to know that He has found us! When we were lost in our own little worlds, doing our own little things, He opened our eyes to see. We lived our lives as ordinary humans do, and then God called us. To say that we are called by God and still live by our own desires and rules doesn’t seem to align with the true nature of a follower of Christ. In Westernized Christianity, following God is optional. In Biblical Christianity, following God is about dying to live.