Catechism Class - LD7,Q20, The Effectual Call of God.
In reformed circles we speak about God’s ‘irresistible grace’ or ‘the effectual call’ of God upon the life of the sinner. Since salvation is all of the Lord, it is God’s prerogative to save whom he will, and since he has chosen his own people from before the foundation of the world, those whom he calls to him will surely come. Jesus said, John 6:37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. And John 6:44 No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day.
READ: Romans 8:29-32, 28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. 29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. 31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? 32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?
But what about those scripture verses that teach us that Jesus died for the sins of the whole world? Even the mention of the doctrine of Irresistible Grace sends some evangelicals into apoplexy! So, in this lesson, we’re going to consider three common misunderstandings, which the catechism will help us to get some clarity on. UNIVERSALISM, the idea that Christ’s death is for all, so all humanity must already be saved. DECISIONAL REGENERATION, where the call of God can be rendered ineffective by human indecision. SEMI-PELAGIANISM, where God has gone most of the way for us to be saved, but there is still something we must do.
Listen to the podcast for some discussion of the issues.
READ THE STUDY GUIDE - CLICK THIS LINK.
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