A. Those who are really and effectively called by God obtain justification, adoption, sanctification and the several other awards that come with or from them.
12 Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13 children born not of natural descent,[c] nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. (John 1:12,13)
Thoughts: When God calls us to follow Him (the "effectual" or "real" call of God)- it is not a fake call, or a faint call- but a real call upon our souls to come to Him. Our souls answer the call of God by responding to Him. The three benefits of salvation in this life are the acceptance of God, the belonging to God, and the growing in faith in God. Accepting, belonging, and growing are signs of life responding to His life.
The benefits of following God do not all occur in the next life. Eternal life does not begin after we die. The new creation begins when we are enabled and do respond to Christ in faith. Often this is described as "when we become a Christian" or "accept Christ as our Lord and Savior." We are the same physical person basically, but our spirits are made alive, and we see life, God, and others differently. It is not that we are by nature better people. In ourselves, in our own power, talents, and ability we cannot respond to Christ. So we come to Him humbly, thanking Him for enabling by calling us and opening our ears and hearts to respond to Him. Christians are not simply people of another world somehow stuck here. But this world is a gift from God to all human beings. Christians are called to understand that the world is not their oyster, but they are put here to be good stewards of their time, talents and gifts in the world. God calls us beyond ourselves to turn toward Him.
Prayer: Help me see, Lord that this world is not all about my simply improving, but my heeding your call and turning toward you both in this life and the next.
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