Understanding Effectual Calling in Salvation
Summary
Effectual calling, often misunderstood as irresistible grace, is a profound concept that emphasizes God's sovereignty in the process of salvation. Unlike the misleading notion of irresistible grace, which suggests a forceful imposition of God's will against human desire, effectual calling highlights the harmonious work of God in bringing a person to faith. This divine calling ensures that what God initiates in the order of salvation, He will see through to completion. When God begins the work of genuine faith in a believer, it is not a coercive act but a transformative one that aligns the individual's desires with God's will. The evidence of this transformation is seen in the believer's love for Christ and their longing for salvation.
The idea of a righteous sinner who desires salvation but is unable to attain it due to not being among the elect is a misconception. Similarly, the notion of someone being elected against their will is equally unfounded. Scripture does not support these caricatures. Instead, it presents a God who calls individuals in such a way that their hearts are genuinely changed, leading them to willingly embrace the salvation offered through Christ. This process is not about overriding human will but about renewing it, so that the believer's desires align with God's purposes.
Key Takeaways:
1. Effectual Calling vs. Irresistible Grace: Effectual calling is a more biblically accurate term than irresistible grace. It emphasizes God's role in initiating and completing the work of salvation in a believer's life, ensuring that their faith is genuine and transformative. This process is not about coercion but about aligning the believer's desires with God's will. [00:24]
2. The Completion of God's Work: When God begins the work of faith in an individual, He is faithful to bring it to completion. This assurance is rooted in the nature of God, who does not abandon the work He starts. The believer's journey is marked by a growing love for Christ and a desire for the things of God. [00:47]
3. Misconceptions of Salvation: The idea of a righteous sinner unable to be saved due to not being among the elect is a misunderstanding. Scripture does not support the notion of someone desiring salvation but being denied it. God's calling is effectual, meaning it accomplishes its purpose in those He calls. [01:15]
4. The Harmony of Divine and Human Will: Effectual calling demonstrates the harmony between divine sovereignty and human responsibility. It is not about God forcing His will upon an unwilling person but about transforming the heart so that the individual willingly responds to God's call. [01:35]
5. Scriptural Foundation: The caricatures of salvation, such as someone being elected against their will, are not found in Scripture. Instead, the Bible presents a God who calls individuals in a way that genuinely changes their hearts, leading them to embrace salvation willingly. [01:35]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:24] - Understanding Effectual Calling
[00:47] - God's Faithfulness in Salvation
[01:15] - Misconceptions of the Elect
[01:35] - Harmony of Divine and Human Will
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Understanding Effectual Calling
Bible Reading:
1. Philippians 1:6 - "Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."
2. Romans 8:30 - "And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified."
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Observation Questions:
1. How does the sermon differentiate between "effectual calling" and "irresistible grace"? [00:24]
2. What evidence does the sermon provide to show that God's work in a believer is transformative rather than coercive? [00:47]
3. What are the two misconceptions about salvation that the sermon aims to correct? [01:15]
4. How does the sermon describe the harmony between divine sovereignty and human will in the process of salvation? [01:35]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. In Philippians 1:6, what does it mean for God to "carry on to completion" the work He began in believers? How does this relate to the concept of effectual calling?
2. Romans 8:30 outlines a sequence of actions by God. How does this sequence support the idea of effectual calling as described in the sermon?
3. The sermon mentions that the idea of a "righteous sinner" unable to be saved is a misconception. How does this align with the biblical understanding of election and salvation? [01:15]
4. How does the sermon explain the transformation of human will in response to God's calling? What role does love for Christ play in this transformation? [00:47]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt God was beginning a new work in your life. How did you see it come to completion, or how is it still ongoing? [00:47]
2. The sermon emphasizes the harmony between divine sovereignty and human will. How can you align your desires more closely with God's will in your daily life? [01:35]
3. Consider the misconceptions about salvation discussed in the sermon. Have you ever held similar views, and how has your understanding changed over time? [01:15]
4. How can you cultivate a deeper love for Christ and a desire for the things of God in your personal spiritual journey? [00:47]
5. The sermon suggests that God's calling is transformative. What specific changes have you noticed in your life that reflect this transformation?
6. How can you support others in your community who may struggle with understanding the concept of effectual calling and God's role in salvation?
7. Identify one area in your life where you feel resistant to God's calling. What steps can you take to open your heart to His transformative work?
Devotional
Day 1: God's Sovereignty in Salvation
Effectual calling is a profound concept that emphasizes God's sovereignty in the process of salvation. It is often misunderstood as irresistible grace, which suggests a forceful imposition of God's will against human desire. However, effectual calling highlights the harmonious work of God in bringing a person to faith. This divine calling ensures that what God initiates in the order of salvation, He will see through to completion. When God begins the work of genuine faith in a believer, it is not a coercive act but a transformative one that aligns the individual's desires with God's will. The evidence of this transformation is seen in the believer's love for Christ and their longing for salvation. [00:24]
Ephesians 1:11-12 (ESV): "In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory."
Reflection: Consider a time when you felt God was leading you in a direction you didn't initially desire. How did your heart and desires change as you followed His lead?
Day 2: Assurance of God's Faithfulness
When God begins the work of faith in an individual, He is faithful to bring it to completion. This assurance is rooted in the nature of God, who does not abandon the work He starts. The believer's journey is marked by a growing love for Christ and a desire for the things of God. This process is not about coercion but about aligning the believer's desires with God's will. As believers, we can rest in the confidence that God will complete the good work He has begun in us, nurturing our faith and guiding us towards spiritual maturity. [00:47]
Philippians 1:6 (ESV): "And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ."
Reflection: Reflect on an area of your spiritual life where you have seen growth. How can you trust God to continue this work in you?
Day 3: Clarifying Misconceptions of Salvation
The idea of a righteous sinner unable to be saved due to not being among the elect is a misunderstanding. Scripture does not support the notion of someone desiring salvation but being denied it. God's calling is effectual, meaning it accomplishes its purpose in those He calls. This understanding dispels the misconception that salvation is unattainable for those who genuinely seek it. Instead, it affirms that God's call is powerful and effective, ensuring that those He calls will respond in faith and receive the gift of salvation. [01:15]
John 6:37 (ESV): "All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out."
Reflection: Think about someone you know who is seeking God. How can you encourage them with the truth that God’s call is effectual and His salvation is available to all who seek Him?
Day 4: The Harmony of Divine and Human Will
Effectual calling demonstrates the harmony between divine sovereignty and human responsibility. It is not about God forcing His will upon an unwilling person but about transforming the heart so that the individual willingly responds to God's call. This process involves a renewal of the human will, aligning it with God's purposes. As believers, we are invited to participate in this divine-human partnership, responding to God's call with a willing and open heart, and allowing His transformative work to shape our desires and actions. [01:35]
Philippians 2:13 (ESV): "For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure."
Reflection: Identify an area in your life where you struggle to align your will with God's. What steps can you take today to invite God to transform your heart in this area?
Day 5: Scriptural Foundation of Effectual Calling
The caricatures of salvation, such as someone being elected against their will, are not found in Scripture. Instead, the Bible presents a God who calls individuals in a way that genuinely changes their hearts, leading them to embrace salvation willingly. This scriptural foundation assures us that God's call is both powerful and personal, effecting real change in the lives of those He calls. As we study Scripture, we are reminded of the depth of God's love and the transformative power of His call, which invites us into a relationship with Him that is both intimate and life-changing. [01:35]
2 Thessalonians 2:13-14 (ESV): "But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth. To this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ."
Reflection: How does understanding the scriptural foundation of effectual calling change your perspective on your own salvation journey? How can you share this understanding with others?
Quotes
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