2. Calling (Effective Calling)
I remember a lunchtime, back when I was a schoolteacher, I was on duty
in the playground; I turned to see a couple of boys climbing over the fence in
an attempt to escape. I shouted for them to come back, which was completely
ignored as they ran away to freedom. God does not have this problem! When He
calls us to be saved we always obey.
Paul makes this point in Romans 8,
Romans 8:30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he
called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
‘General calling’
verses ‘Effective calling’
The church is called to preach the gospel to all, but this does not mean
that everyone will become a Christian; this is what is termed the ‘General
Call’ or the ‘Outward Call’; this call, to all people, may be resisted.
But when this Outward Call is accompanied by the supernatural work of
the Holy Spirit, it becomes, in the elect, an ‘Inner Call’, an ‘Effective call’
that cannot be resisted!
The conversion of Lydia is a great example of Effectual
Calling
Act 16:13-14 On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate to the
river, where we expected to find a place of prayer. We sat down and began to
speak to the women who had gathered there. One of those listening was a woman from the city of Thyatira
named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth. She was a worshipper of God. The Lord
opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message.
A couple of great quotes
We may define
effective calling as follows: Effective calling is an act of God the Father,
speaking through the human proclamation of the gospel, in which he summons
people to himself in such a way that they respond in saving faith. (Wayne
Grudem)
‘The effectual call
of God is an inward call. It is the secret work of quickening or regeneration
accomplished in the souls of the elect by the immediate supernatural operation
of the Holy Spirit.’ (R. C. Sproul)
To memorise and meditate upon
Romans 8:30 ‘Those he predestined, he also called; those he called,
he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.’
1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a
holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him
who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
You can catch up on
all the messages at:
0 comments:
Post a Comment