The Common and Effectual Calling

Romans 1:18-21 "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all unrighteousness… For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them… For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world. So they are without excuse."

So what this means is that God is shown to all man, through His creation, in what He has made! From the beauty of creation, we see God! It’s amazing! But that means that everybody is without excuse. So if a person dies and stands before God (and he isn’t a believer) he will be without excuse.

People are bad, and nobody would ever come to God on their own, but thankfully, not only does God gives us the gospel, but then drags us to Himself.

And this moves us into Effectual Calling. If anybody really wanted to know about God and believe Him, it is only because God put that want there. Before the world, God predestined all those would believe in Him, this means that God planned out everything that would happen, and the lives of those who would believe. So is the gospel for everybody? Yes, but only those who are Called (His Elect) will believe in Him.

Some people say that this is unfair of God, and ask "why doesn’t God just make Himself open to everyone?" But that’s not what we should say, what we should say is, "God thank you for choosing some to believe and didn’t send us all to hell."

This is all for God’s glory… God does everything for His own glory! And you know what, I’m glad that he does... or else I’d be burning in hell. Our God is wonderful!

~Kade

6 comments:

Anonymous March 9, 2008 at 11:57 PM  

Without Christ there is no remession of sins, scripture says. So how does the man in a place with no gospel witness know a name that he has never heard. He can see the power of God in creation and can know there is someout out there bigger than he is, but how can he know the Name that is above every name?

N. L. White March 10, 2008 at 10:25 AM  

God provides. Just as He provided the ram to be sacrificed by Abraham in the place of Issac and the Lamb of God sacrificed on the cross, He provides the means of salvation for those He calls. It will be done because His will must be accomplished. If it isn't then He is not the Almighty and then by definition, not God.

Ther Name of Jesus is not given by accident to anyone, nor is it with-held by an oversight. Those who will be saved will be given the name by which it is accomplished. If not by a witness on their door step, the Want to know how they must be saved will drive them to search to the end of the earth. If the means are not there they will be sought.

BUt let us not limit God by thinking He is limited by our means. He will provide.

N. L. White March 10, 2008 at 10:28 AM  

I got a little caried away but the point is there. Don't put God in a box when it comes to His getting what He has planned. It will be accomplished.

Kade March 10, 2008 at 5:56 PM  

2 Corinthians 4:3-4 says, "but even if our Gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them."

So to your point Nanci, God will provide. It is only 'veiled to those who are parishing'.

Verse 6 of that same chapter says, "For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of the darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." God will do the work. And there doesn't even have to be some one there for the Spirit of God to work in people's hearts! If there had to be someone there, that would mean God was not omnipotent. I'm getting carried away too.

-Kole

P.S. Thanks Mr. B.L. for commenting!

Kade March 10, 2008 at 6:44 PM  

Now the man can't be saved without hearing the gospel, but God can put a desire for them to know Him.

-Kole

Kade March 11, 2008 at 2:23 PM  

God will definitly provide a way for His elect.
~Kade

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Catechism

And, in testimony of our desire, and assurance to be heard, we say, Amen.

Catechism question generator by Luke Godfrey