by Garrett Glende

Last week we studied what it means that God has elected some people to be saved. This was the initial step in what theologians have deemed the ordo salutis, or order of salvation. The next cluster of chapters in Grudem’s book walk through this process, ending with glorification and union with Christ. This week we will look at the gospel call and see how this doctrine is applicable to our lives today.

Most (if not all) Christians remember the moment when they heard the gospel for the first time and it pierced their heart. Maybe some had grown up in the church or in a Christian environment and listened to many preachers proclaim the good news, but it never really sunk in. Perhaps others were staunch atheists, always boldly and publically renouncing Christ. Most Christians did not accept the gospel the first time they heard it, in fact, many continue on in their unbelief for decades before God calls them to faith and repentance. How can this be? Why does it take so long for some to come to Christ? While there are many answers to these questions, one response that can be offered is that God had not called them yet. Before things get too confused, let’s take a look at the two types of callings that Grudem outlines in this chapter.

General Call

The general call (otherwise known as the external or gospel call) is when the gospel in preached to unbelievers. It is a universal appeal for all sinners to come to Christ for the forgiveness of sins. Included in this proclamation are the basic fundamentals of the gospel message (sin and its penalty, Christ’s atoning death on our behalf), an invitation to respond in faith and repentance, and the promise of eternal life. This call is routinely rejected, as men’s hearts are unable to respond without God’s quickening.

Effectual Call

A verse we looked at last week demonstrates the effectual gospel call. Romans 8:30 reads, “And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.” The difference between the effectual call of God and the general gospel call is that the effectual call always results in justification. There will be salvation for all those whom God calls in this way. Grudem defines it as follows: “effective calling is an act of God the Father, speaking through the human proclamation of the gospel, in which he summons people to himself in such a way that they respond in saving faith.” Notice that God uses the general call as an integral aspect of bringing rebels to himself, for “How are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?” (Romans 10:14). Even still, God remains sovereign over those He brings to himself as Jesus testifies that “no one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him” (John 6:44). The conversion of Lydia in Acts 16:14 is an example of God effectively calling a sinner to repentance, as it says that “the Lord opened her heart to give heed to what was said by Paul.” Paul was faithful to proclaim the gospel and God used this teaching to work in Lydia’s heart so that she would turn to Him in faith. The effectual call is not some mechanical working that is absent of any emotion or human response, as some critics of the doctrine have suggested. There is always a call for each individual person to come to Christ for rest and they must have faith and repent to be saved. Grudem writes, “He does not save us ‘automatically’ without seeking for a response from us as whole persons. Rather, he addresses the gospel call to our intellects, our emotions, and our wills.” As a demonstration of His love and mercy, this invitation includes the glorious truths of the gospel and speaks directly to our hearts.

Application

There is immediate clear application of this doctrine for all Christians today. “How are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?” The answer that Paul implies with this verse is obvious – they will not believe. For sinners to be saved, Christians must preach the gospel. It is the means by which God has chosen to bring the lost back to Himself and it is one of the primary reasons why we are still here on earth. A man will not wake up one day and place his faith in the atoning death of Christ having never heard the gospel ever before. Everyone we meet – every roommate, every co-worker, every classmate – must hear the good news of Jesus Christ. The timing and nature in which we share is to be decided on with wisdom and discernment, but we must have a sense of urgency and a love for the lost. The church, as God’s proxy on earth, has been granted the responsibility to spread the news of the gospel and each individual member must take part in this privilege. And we should see it as such. What an honor to be able to speak forth the wonderful truths of Christ dying as a substitute for our sins. I’m encouraged by the members of LBC who take on this responsibility with joy and as the church plant draws ever nearer, may we all proclaim the gospel more boldly than we ever have before.