Letting Go of the World to Embrace the Calling of God

Good morning, Church!

I want to talk to you today about something that I believe many of us have struggled with at one point or another—feeling scared to repent because of the guilt we feel from the things we’ve done in life. Maybe it's drinking, partying, casual relationships, or a list of other things that you think God would never accept you for. But here’s the thing: God is calling you. And that call is stronger than any guilt or fear you may feel.

Maybe you’re sitting here today, or listening online, and you’re feeling like, “How can I go to God? I’ve done so much wrong. I’m not worthy. I’m stuck in this lifestyle, and I don’t even know where to start.” You feel a pull in your heart, a calling from God, but there’s that wall of guilt and shame keeping you at arm’s length.

Listen closely—God’s call is greater than your guilt. His love is stronger than any of the things you’ve done or are struggling with right now.

The Lie of Guilt and Shame

Let’s talk about this guilt for a moment. Guilt is a powerful thing. It makes us feel unworthy, dirty, or as if we’re not good enough for God’s love. Romans 3:23 says,

"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."

That means no matter what you've done—whether it's partying until you forget your name, drinking to escape, or living in relationships that don't honor God—you’re not alone. Everyone, at some point, falls short.

But guilt, my friends, is a liar. It tells you that because of your actions, you can never be good enough for God. It whispers in your ear, “You’ve gone too far. You’ve messed up too many times.” But that’s not what God says.

Romans 8:1 tells us,

“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”

When you feel the pull to come to God, to turn away from the old ways of living, the enemy will try to remind you of your past. But God doesn't hold your past against you! He sees you as new. He sees you as His beloved child, and His love for you is unconditional.

The Call of God: The Invitation to Come as You Are

You might feel like God is far away because of the things you’ve done. But the truth is that God’s call to you is a call to come as you are. Jesus didn’t come for the perfect people. He didn’t come for those who had it all together. He came for the broken, the lost, the sinners. In fact, in Matthew 9:13, Jesus says,

“But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

God knows what you’ve been through. He knows the struggles you face. He understands your desire to escape, to numb the pain, to find fulfillment in things that will never satisfy. And He still calls you. He calls you to come out of the world, to turn away from the things that are keeping you trapped, and to embrace the life He has for you.

Don’t let guilt keep you from answering that call. Jesus is waiting with open arms, ready to forgive, heal, and restore you. 1 John 1:9 says,

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."

The World vs. The Fulfillment in Christ

Now, I want to talk about the pull of the world for a minute. When you’ve been living a certain way—whether it’s partying, drinking, casual relationships, or any other habit—it feels normal. It feels like that’s where your fulfillment comes from. But, let me tell you, it’s not fulfillment at all. It’s temporary satisfaction, a momentary escape from pain, but it never lasts. It always leaves you wanting more.

And this is the lie the world sells you: "You need this to be happy. You need to keep going, keep partying, keep running, keep seeking something that’s never quite enough." But true fulfillment—the kind that doesn’t fade, the kind that fills you from the inside out—is found in Jesus Christ alone. Jesus said in John 10:10,

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."

The enemy wants to steal your joy, kill your peace, and destroy your future by keeping you trapped in the cycle of sin. But Jesus offers life—real, abundant, fulfilling life.

How to Let Go of the World and Embrace the Calling

So, how do we let go of the world and fully embrace God’s calling for our lives?

1. Acknowledge the Calling – First, you need to recognize that God is calling you. Maybe you’ve felt it deep in your heart, that inner tug that says, “Come to Me. I have something better for you.” That’s God’s voice, calling you out of the world and into a life of purpose, peace, and fulfillment.

   
   

2. Repent – Repentance is simply turning away from the old ways and turning toward God. It’s not about being perfect. It’s about making the decision to change direction. You don’t need to clean yourself up before coming to God. He takes you as you are, right where you’re at. In Acts 3:19, it says,

"Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord."

3. Let Go of the Lies – The enemy will try to convince you that the world’s way is the only way to live. But that’s a lie. True peace, true satisfaction, and true fulfillment are found in Jesus alone. You need to let go of the things that are holding you back and trust that God’s way is better than anything the world has to offer.

   
   

4. Embrace God’s Love – Understand that God’s love is unconditional, no matter what you’ve done or where you’ve been. When you feel unworthy, remember that Jesus died on the cross for you, to take away your sin and guilt. Romans 5:8 says,

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

5. Step into the New Life – When you make the decision to repent and follow Christ, you are stepping into a new life. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says,

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!"

Embrace the new life God has for you—one of peace, purpose, and true fulfillment.

The Ultimate Fulfillment

Here’s the truth, Church: Nothing in this world can truly fulfill you. No drink, no party, no relationship, no amount of fun can fill the void in your soul. Only a relationship with Jesus can do that.

God is calling you to something greater, something better. He’s calling you to experience true joy, to be free from the chains of guilt and shame, to live with purpose and peace, and to embrace the life He created you for. All it takes is letting go of the world’s lies and saying “yes” to God’s call.

Closing Prayer

Father, we come to You today, overwhelmed by Your love. We acknowledge that we’ve tried to find fulfillment in the things of this world, but we know that only You can satisfy the deepest desires of our hearts. We repent of our sin and choose to turn to You. Help us to embrace the life You have for us, to let go of the old ways, and to step boldly into the calling You’ve placed on our lives. Thank You for Your mercy, Your grace, and Your unending love. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Church, God is calling you today. Don’t let guilt or fear hold you back. Step into the life He has for you, and experience the fulfillment that only He can bring.