God has personally called and chosen each of us out of billions of people who have lived through the ages, a selection that reflects His profound purpose. As Romans 8:28 states, He calls us according to His purpose, ensuring that everything works for good for those who love Him and are the called. He sees in each of us a kernel, a small fragment of something He can use for His and our glory. This calling is a holy one, as II Timothy 1:9 reveals, given not according to our works but according to His own purpose and grace, bestowed upon us in Christ Jesus before time began. It is a priceless gift, an opportunity to be part of His Son's Body, drawn specifically by Him as noted in John 6:44. Our calling demands diligence to make it sure, as urged in II Peter 1:10, where we are commanded to be even more diligent to ensure our call and election, with the promise that if we do these things, we will never stumble. This involves a process of growth, bearing fruit through a ladder of virtues—faith, virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love—each to be generously supplemented and made to abound within us. By following these diligently, an entrance will be abundantly supplied into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. This opportunity to strive toward the Kingdom and perfection of character begins with our calling, a chance to be part of God's Family, reflecting the immense value of being chosen by Him.

God alone determines who comes into a relationship with Him during this age. No one can approach Christ unless the Father draws him (John 6:44) and grants it (John 6:65), so human effort cannot substitute for the Father's initiative. Those who believe are those appointed to eternal life (Acts 13:48), and grace and saving faith are gifts He gives only to some (Ephesians 2:8). Not all have "the faith" (II Thessalonians 3:2). The promise of the Spirit applies only to "as many as the Lord our God will call" (Acts 2:39), and many are called but few chosen. A long chain of passages speaks of His foreknowledge, calling, and election of particular people, so salvation is not open to everyone right now. Those not appointed now will have their opportunity in the second resurrection. Even Christ's perfect example, over three and a half years, did not convert everyone who saw Him, because the Father had not called them. This calling is tied to the understanding of the two harvests symbolized by Pentecost and the Feast of Tabernacles, and to the resurrections. Therefore Paul's "winning" of people in I Corinthians 9 means gaining a better human relationship, not converting them. Believers' conduct matters, but only God opens a mind and begins the relationship with Himself.