4/17/12- definition of effectual calling

How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. ² Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. ³ Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure. (1 John 3:1-3) 


WSC. 31. What is effective calling?

A. Effective calling is the work of God's Spirit by which he convinces us of our sin and misery, enlightens our minds in the knowledge of Christ, and renewing our wills, and so persuades and enable us to embrace Jesus Christ, freely offered to us in the gospel.

Thoughts: God's call to us is real- the most real thing we ever experience.  He wakes us up to Him. 

The Spirit convicts us of sin, and shows us God's way.  The Spirit renews, persuades, and enables us to respond to God.  The free offer of the gospel means little to us until we are enabled and renewed to respond.

Prayer: You, O Lord are worthy of praise for you call and draw me to yourself.

WSC Q. 31- What is effectual calling?
A. Effectual calling is the work of God's Spirit, whereby, convincing us of our sin and mercy, enlightening our minds in the knowledge of Christ, and renewing our wills, he doth persuade and enable us to embrace Jesus Christ, freely offered us in the gospel.

4/14/12- Our Real and Effectual Calling

WSC Q 30- How does the Spirit apply to us the redemption purchased by Christ?

A: The Spirit applies Christ's purchased redemption to us by working faith in us, and thus uniting us to Christ in our real calling.


²⁴ but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. (1 Corinthians 1:24)

(Crowd calling out)

Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and a brother of James,

   To those who have been called, who are loved by God the Father and kept by^[a] Jesus Christ: (Jude 1:1)

Thoughts: The Call of God is Effectual.  When God calls us to wake up, we are awakened.  The Spirit makes the call of God real to us- by allowing us to hear it and to respond to it.  When the Spirit calls us to God, we come.  It is a real calling as distinguished from ineffectual and false calls upon us from the world.
    There are many calls upon us.  Things, people, events, companies call upon our time, our efforts, and our lives.  They call us away from what is important to what is urgent. Our real calling in life- is to respond to Christ.  Our main goal is to answer the call of our Maker upon our life.  His call is the everlasting, most important call to our soul to respond to His love.  

Prayer: Lord, give me ears to hear your call, and a heart to respond.