Bible Question:
Ok, so a few weeks ago at a church I just started going to, the pastor called people up to the front who wanted prayer, and I went up. A person came to each of us individually, put oil on our heads (first time for me), and they prayed for us. But when the guy got to me, he said "I don't mean to prophesize over you, but God has put a question on my heart about you. Do you feel you have a calliing on your heart?" I said "yes sir" He said "I can see you have found favor in God, and by His special grace you will accomplish your calling." I'm kind of a new christian, so could anyone explain to me exactly what the favor of God is, and how one would get it, cause I admit I don't seee how He could have it for me. Also a side question, is special grace actually special, or just regular grace. |
Bible Answer: You have received some helpful and insightfu answers. I would like to clarify a couple of points. First, a calling does imply that it is from God and for a specific purpose. It cannot be limited to what many people believe ministry is. The term to minister means to serve. It does not mean only or specifically in the capacity of pastor, teacher, deacon or any other church affiliated function. That is unless you greatly broaden the use of the term church. God calls people as artists, He also provides a grace for them to function in that role. In this instance Grace can be described as a power working within us lifting us from death (and everything leading to death) into Life (and everything that leads to spiritual Life). It can also mean an ablility from God or even favor that causes divine influence on circumstances to yield to your presence and purpose. He may call somone into nursing or agriculture. Anyone can develop skills but one who is called has the added grace to develop those skills and will therefore stand out and make a difference spiritually as well. In this case He provides grace. The bible mentions a number of kinds of grace. Abundance of grace Rom 5:17, Abundant grace Acts 4:33. The bible speaks of being full of grace John 1:14 and Acts 6:8. It also speaks of grace upon grace John 1:16. It seems there are a number of different things grace can be or do. God did not however give grace to pharoah. The scripture says He hardened pharoa's heart (that is an entire study in itself). He did not give grace to Judas. This goes against basic preschooler theology God good, Devil bad. John 1:15 states that God is light and there is no darkness in Him. James 1:13 states Let no one say when he is tempted, “ I am being tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. |