Calling on the Name of the Lord

Sunday I enjoyed a rare break from the pulpit and heard a fine lesson by Michael Lusk entitled “Calling on the Name of the Lord,” which is the inspiration of today’s post.

In Romans 10:13 the apostle Paul boldly proclaims, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

But what does this mean? What is involved? And how do we call?

First, of all this promise is given to “everyone.” Why? Because the Bible says that “everyone has sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23). Furthermore, “the wages of sin is death” (Rom. 6:23). Thus, everyone who has sinned is worthy of death. That’s everyone of accountable age before God.

Secondly, there is good news. And it is connected to the gospel. Paul affirmed in Romans 1:16. “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.” Again, that’s everyone.

Thirdly, Jesus provides clarification of what it means “to call.” In Matthew 7:21 in His famous Mountain Message, the Savior said “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.”

As my Florida College Bible professor, E. V. Srygley, used to say, “There’s a seemingly apparent contradiction.” Paul says, “everyone” who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved,” but Jesus said, “not everyone.” So, what’s the answer to this conundrum?

The context provides the answer.

Jesus offers this insight. Calling involves doing the will of the Father. Calling is not just repeating the name of Jesus, but it is doing what Jesus calls us to do. He said, “If you love me, keep my commandments” (Jn. 14;15).

The text of Romans 10 provides further insight into this “calling.” Paul says before we can call, we must believe. But before we believe we must hear. And hearing involves preaching the gospel. Yet, many who hear fail to believe and obey. True faith leads to obedience (vs. 14-17).

A great example that combines calling, the gospel, and obedience is the conversion of Saul of Tarsus. He was a devout Jew and a persecutor of Christians. In Acts 9 Jesus appeared to Saul in a blinding light that knocked him to the ground. He cried to the Lord. Jesus told him “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

For three days Saul fasted and prayed. The Lord sent a preacher, Ananias, to proclaim to him the gospel. At the conclusion of the sermon, as Paul, recounted this event, Ananias said, “And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.’  Saul’s salvation was not procured on the Damascus road when he called on Jesus.  Nor was it obtained when he called through fasting and prayer.  But his calling was consummated in obedience.

“Calling on the name of the Lord” is a prophetic quote from Joel 2:32. Peter applies this in his sermon in Acts 2 as he preached Jesus on Pentecost and affirmed He was the Christ whom the Jews had rejected and crucified. Upon hearing this, the crowd cried out, “Men and brethren what shall we do?”

Peter responded, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call” (Ax 2:38-39).

“Calling” is not just shouting “Jesus, Jesus.” Or reciting some man-made “sinner’s prayer” without any instruction from the gospel. Nor is it a mental ascent or an emotional feeling. It is doing the will of the heavenly Father.

The calling is two-fold, We are called by the gospel (1 Thess.2;14). And we call upon the Lord, when we do what He commanded (Rom. 1:5).

Be advised, my Christian friend, this applies to more than just initial obedience of faith, repentance, and baptism. It is a life-long pursuit. Peter reminds us that we must make “our calling and election sure” by adding to our faith the virtues of moral excellence, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love (2 Pet. 1:5-10).

Are you calling on the name of the Lord? And are you hearing and heeding His calling?

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman