Theology Thursday
Q. 31. What is effectual calling?
A. Effectual calling is the work of God’s Spirit, whereby, convincing us of our sin and misery, enlightening our minds in the knowledge of Christ, and renewing our wills, he doth persuade and enable us to embrace Jesus Christ, freely offered to us in the gospel.
Westminster Shorter Catechism
We saw last week that we need God’s Spirit to give us new hearts to be able to respond to the gospel in faith. That’s because spiritually speaking, from birth, our hearts are hostile towards God in their sinfulness. But how does this all actually work?
Well, this is where the idea of effectual calling comes in. The idea is that the gospel is an announcement that is heard by many. The gospel is constantly going out to many people in various forms. Think of the person reading the Bible in the hotel room, the unbeliever who got invited to Church, the conversation with a family member over dinner etc.
This is what we might call the general call. It’s like a broadcast. And as we know, many people hear the gospel but don’t believe. The general call so often falls on deaf ears and hard hearts. Unbelieving, unconvicted and therefore uninterested in the offer of Jesus of salvation.
But again. Why do some believe? It’s because the Spirit, in unity with the Father and the Son, makes the call effective. The Spirit breaks through our resistance and works in our hearts and minds to help us to hear the call. As the Catechism says, He persuades and enables.
Sometimes this can happen in what seems like the blink of an eye. Other times, this process can be slow as the Spirit draws the person closer and closer to the truth. But if the gospel call is to be effective, it requires the Spirit.
So. What does this mean? Well, it means we should tell everyone we can about Jesus as often as we can. Because we never know when the moment might come that the Spirit makes the call effective. It means we should support Missionaries and Bible Societies.
It also means that we can keep hoping for those that haven’t yet responded.
For Today:
Pray:
Passages: Acts 26:18, 2 Corinthians 4:6, Ephesians 1:17-18
A. Effectual calling is the work of God’s Spirit, whereby, convincing us of our sin and misery, enlightening our minds in the knowledge of Christ, and renewing our wills, he doth persuade and enable us to embrace Jesus Christ, freely offered to us in the gospel.
Westminster Shorter Catechism
We saw last week that we need God’s Spirit to give us new hearts to be able to respond to the gospel in faith. That’s because spiritually speaking, from birth, our hearts are hostile towards God in their sinfulness. But how does this all actually work?
Well, this is where the idea of effectual calling comes in. The idea is that the gospel is an announcement that is heard by many. The gospel is constantly going out to many people in various forms. Think of the person reading the Bible in the hotel room, the unbeliever who got invited to Church, the conversation with a family member over dinner etc.
This is what we might call the general call. It’s like a broadcast. And as we know, many people hear the gospel but don’t believe. The general call so often falls on deaf ears and hard hearts. Unbelieving, unconvicted and therefore uninterested in the offer of Jesus of salvation.
But again. Why do some believe? It’s because the Spirit, in unity with the Father and the Son, makes the call effective. The Spirit breaks through our resistance and works in our hearts and minds to help us to hear the call. As the Catechism says, He persuades and enables.
Sometimes this can happen in what seems like the blink of an eye. Other times, this process can be slow as the Spirit draws the person closer and closer to the truth. But if the gospel call is to be effective, it requires the Spirit.
So. What does this mean? Well, it means we should tell everyone we can about Jesus as often as we can. Because we never know when the moment might come that the Spirit makes the call effective. It means we should support Missionaries and Bible Societies.
It also means that we can keep hoping for those that haven’t yet responded.
For Today:
- When/how did the Spirit first call you?
- Have you seen this happen in someone else?
- Who do you need to pray for the Spirit to bring alive?
Pray:
- Praise the Father for His mercy to hardened and stiff-necked sinners.
- Give thanks for Christ who is the good news of salvation.
- Ask God for His Holy Spirit to bring alive many hearts in our community.
Passages: Acts 26:18, 2 Corinthians 4:6, Ephesians 1:17-18
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