“But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

 ~ 1 Corinthians 15:57 ~

Let’s explore the Reason, Grace, Truth, and Revelation behind the Calling of God’s Children.

Reason – Understanding the Call

Every follower of Jesus has two callings—a Primary Calling and a Secondary Calling.

Your Primary Calling is not about what you do, but who you become. It’s the call to be a child of God. Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” (Matthew 5:9). That’s not a task—it’s an identity.

This is where victory begins: when we turn our hearts over to Jesus, remove the beam from our own eye, and allow Him to create a new life within us. The work starts on the inside, not the outside.

Then comes your Secondary Calling, which is how you live that identity out in the world. Once you know who you are in Christ, what you do for Christ follows naturally. Ministry, mission, and service are simply the outward expression of your inward transformation. Without the Primary Calling, the Secondary loses power and purpose.

Before we can stand strong in the armor of God, we must first stand secure as children of God.

Grace – The Order of Wholeness

To live as a victorious child of God, grace must establish divine order throughout our being—Spirit, Soul, and Body (1 Thessalonians 5:23). This is where Jesus’ ministry, particularly The Sermon on the Mount, should be fully reflected! 

• Spirit – This is the image of God within you—your temperament, your divine imprint, the part of you designed for direct fellowship with Him. When your spirit is reborn in Christ, it reconnects to the Source of life and truth. From here, peace and purpose begin to flow.
  
• Soul – This is where God’s character is developed through the teachings of Jesus—what we might call the 49 Commands of Christ (Gospels). It’s the arena of your mind, will, and emotions where the Word takes root and shapes holy habits—attitude and performance. Here, you learn to think like Christ, feel with compassion, and choose what is good and right.
  
• Body – This is where faith becomes visible—where your spirit’s image (Father’s ministry)  and soul’s character (Son’s ministry) are expressed through right attitude and behavior (Holy Spirit’s ministry). The body’s role is to serve the world through the Holy Spirit’s power, becoming a living testimony of love, faith, and hope, and yes, Love is the greatest of these!

Or, to say it another way: Temperament reflects the Image of God. Character demonstrates the wisdom of the Son. Body reveals the Actions of the Spirit.

When Spirit, Soul, and Body are aligned under Christ’s lordship, we don’t just wear the armor of God—we embody it. That’s when holiness becomes wholeness, and wholeness becomes victory.

Truth – The Power to Stand

Paul tells us to “put on the full Armor of God.” Each piece—truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, and the Word—represents a part of Christ already given to us.

Yet, many try to use the armor without first aligning their inner life. The sword of truth will feel heavy in an unrenewed soul; the shield of faith will falter in a divided spirit. The armor functions best when your Spirit, Soul, and Body are united and submitted to God.

When your spirit is anchored in Him, your soul is shaped by His Word, and your body obeys His will, victory becomes your normal state of being. You don’t strive for peace—you carry it. You don’t fight for faith—you stand in it. You don’t chase victory—you live from it.

Revelation – From Identity to Impact

Here, your Secondary Calling comes alive. Once your inner life is aligned, God releases you to walk in your unique purpose—to lead, love, serve, and bring peace to others.

Everything you do outwardly—whether in ministry, business, family, or community—is simply the Spirit’s expression of your inward alignment with God. The Primary Calling empowers the Secondary.

Victory is not something to achieve; it’s something to receive and live from. Therefore…

“Thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

So stand tall, child of God. Put on the full Armor of God and live from the victory that is already yours through Jesus Christ! Thus…

Stay strong. Shine bright. Suit up!

~ Pastor Drake