II Timothy 1:9 “Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, 10 But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:”
This “holy calling” is the exclusive act of God by the Holy Spirit; for, at some point between conception and death the Holy Spirit will effectively call every child of God to Spiritual Life. Our Lord also refers to this “calling” as being “born again” (John 3:1-8). Paul puts it this way, “And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;” (Ephesians 2:1) and “Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)” (Ephesians 2:5). Our Lord said it this way, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.” (John 5:25). Before this blessed “calling” a person has no desire for the things of God, does not believe the Word of God, has no ability to accept God or to ask God to enter their heart. We are absolutely passive in the act of our Spiritual Birth, for we were “dead” to; that is, entirely separated from the things of God. It is explained this way, “And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;” (Colossians 2:13). Dead folks don’t ask for anything, don’t hunger for anything, and cannot accept anything. This Spiritual Birth is entirely the act of God; “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;” (Titus 3:5). When it happens, in the person being “born again”, there is an immediate loving knowledge of the Lord and an overwhelming yearning to worshipfully serve Him (Acts 9:5-6). At the very instant of Spiritual Birth, we wonderfully feel this great change in ourselves; and, “We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren.” (I John 3:14).