QUESTION:
IS GOD CALLING ME?
ANSWER:
God is calling you to come back to Him—and through Jesus Christ, you can respond, return, and be restored.
Humanity has been separated from God because of sin. We were the ones who walked away. Yet even in our rebellion, God did not give up on us. Instead, He made the first move to reach out, to restore, and to reconcile. Despite our sin, God sought us first.
God Sought Us First
When Adam sinned, it was God who called out. Humanity hid in fear and shame, but God took the first step toward reconciliation, saying, “Where are you?” (Genesis 3:9). From the very beginning, we see that God is the one who seeks us—not because we deserved it, but because He loves us.
Before we ever considered returning to God, He was already pursuing us. This pattern continues throughout Scripture—God always makes the first move.
Jesus Himself said, “The Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” (Luke 19:10) He came searching for us, not because we were worthy, but because He loved us even in our unworthiness. In the parable of the lost sheep, Jesus describes a shepherd who leaves the ninety-nine to go after the one that is lost:
“And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing… for there is more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.” (Luke 15:5, 7)
This parable shows the relentless, loving pursuit of God. He is not waiting for us to find our way back alone—He actively seeks us, carries us, and rejoices when we are found.
The Bible says, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8). God’s invitation is not based on our merit, but on His mercy. The Lord Jesus Christ took the initiative to reconcile us to God by giving His life on the cross. Now that He has opened the way, God is calling us to return to Him through Jesus Christ.
1. God’s Call to Repentance in the Old Testament
God’s longing for His people to return is echoed throughout the Old Testament. His call to repentance (See also: “What is True Repentance?”) is not merely a demand for obedience but an invitation to relationship and restoration.
“Return to Me, and I will return to you,” says the Lord of hosts. (Malachi 3:7)
“Come now, and let us reason together,” says the Lord, “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” (Isaiah 1:18)
“If you will return, O Israel,” says the Lord, “Return to Me; and if you will put away your abominations out of My sight, then you shall not be moved.” (Jeremiah 4:1)
“Return, you backsliding children, and I will heal your backslidings.” (Jeremiah 3:22)
From the earliest covenants, God made clear that turning back to Him would bring mercy, healing, and life. He pleaded with Israel, not as a tyrant, but as a loving Father and a faithful Husband:
“I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely, for My anger has turned away from him.” (Hosea 14:4)
“Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, and He will have mercy on him, and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.” (Isaiah 55:7)
God was calling His people to return to Him—not just in word, but with genuine hearts. While the expressions of repentance in the Old Testament were specific to that time, the heart of God remains the same: He desires to restore, not to reject. Behind every call to return is this enduring truth: God is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love.
His desire was never just to discipline but to restore, to take the broken and make it whole. God’s call to repentance in the Old Testament is a powerful demonstration of His unchanging heart—a heart that still longs for His children to come home.
2. Jesus Came and Sought Us—and Now He Is Calling Us to Him
The coming of Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of God’s seeking love. He not only came to seek and to save the lost, but He now calls every person to repent and believe, to return and receive life.
Jesus proclaimed:
“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” (Matthew 4:17)
He called people out of sin and self-reliance and into God’s grace, righteousness, and eternal life. His invitations were both personal and universal:
“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)
“If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink.” (John 7:37)
“I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.” (John 6:35)
To come to Jesus is to respond to God’s call. Through Him, we receive not just rest and refreshment, but eternal life:
“And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.” (John 6:40)
Now, through the apostles, this call goes out to the whole world:
“Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained.” (Acts 17:30–31)
Jesus is not only the Savior who sought us—He is the Lord who calls us now. His call to repentance is a call to come home, to receive what only He can give: forgiveness, righteousness, and life everlasting.
3. Jesus Personally Invites You to Come to Him
Jesus is not only calling the world—He is calling you. He said:
“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.” (Revelation 3:20)
This is a personal invitation. He knocks on the door of your heart—not with condemnation, but with love and readiness to forgive. To “receive” Him means to open your heart and come to Him:
“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name.” (John 1:12)
To receive Jesus is to come. To believe in Him is to surrender. It is to entrust your life to Him and let Him save and lead you:
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
So the question now is: Is God calling you? Are you willing to come to Jesus and return to God through Him?
Final Thought: Will You Answer His Call?
This will be the most important decision you will ever make in your life—to answer God’s call, to come back to Him, and to respond to His invitation. Nothing compares to being reconciled with your Creator, forgiven of your sins, and welcomed into the family of God.
He is waiting. His arms are open. Don’t let this moment pass.
You can respond right now and we encourage you to continue reading this, “How to Come to Jesus?”
