I stated:
Many carelessly equate the
effectual call with regeneration.
Si Alex inquired:
Where do you see the
distinction in scripture of the effectual vs the outward call? If God wants
only the elect to be saved, why put out an outward call (why not just use the
'effectual call')? Why put out an outward call if only the effectual call can
save a person? Why waste His time with the 'outward call'?
I offered an answer:
Alex, good questions, and
reasoning.
Q. WHERE do you see the
distinction in scripture of the effectual vs the outward call?
A: Rom 8:30 speaks of the
divine activity of the effectual call among one of all those divine activities.
- Rom 10:14-17 speaks of the
gospel/outward call through a human instrument.
- These two distinct calls are
found throughout the Scriptures.
- The effectual call is God's
activity of calling an elect out of his native state of sin and death to that
state of grace and salvation.
- It is designated as effectual
call because this divine call ALWAYS accomplishes its intended purpose, i.e.
bringing an elect out of his native state of sin and death to that state of
grace and salvation.
The outward or gospel call is administered through the ministry of gospel preaching, calling God's children (those whom God has effectually called) to believe the truth of their eternal salvation in Jesus Christ.
Q. If God wants only the elect
to be saved, why put out an outward call (why not just use the 'effectual
call')?
- Inward/effectual call brings
an elect out of his native state of sin and death to that of grace and
salvation in Jesus Christ.
- outward/gospel call brings
God's children out of their ignorance of the truth of their salvation by God's
free grace in Jesus Christ to the knowledge of that salvation, and exhort them
to live righteously in light of that truth.
- The effectual call MUST
precede the outward call; without the effectual call, the outward call is
completely useless and irrelevant, as useless as a Big Mac is to a dead man!
Each accomplishes its DISTINCT
and DIFFERENT end. That's why.
One brings justification,
regeneration, and adoption - the necessary activities that bring an elect out
of his native state of condemnation and death and alienation to that of grace
and salvation (justified, regenerated and adopted into the family of God, and
the Spirit of adoption dwelling in them)
Q. Why put out an outward call
if only the effectual call can save a person? Why waste His time with the
'outward call'?
- The effectually called to
grace and salvation needs to be called to the knowledge of their salvation by
God's free grace in Jesus Christ. That's why!
Why do parents teach their children since they have been conceived and born? Is it a waste of time? Is parenting the children that have been born a waste of time?
No! Begetting and parenting
secure distinct and different ends. That's why!
Not wasting time at all. If it is, stop parenting your children.
Activities that bring you into
BEING and activities that contribute to your WELL BEING are distinct; this is a
SELF-EVIDENT truth; however, yet many preachers are blind to it.
