The Effectual Call

In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with the holy Spirit of promise.

Ephesians 1:13

It is one thing to hear the outward call of the gospel.  It is quite another thing to hear the effectual call of the Holy Spirit.  Many people have heard the outward call of the gospel.  They have heard gospel messages, read gospel literature, and engaged in conversation with believers who have pointed them to Christ.  Yet, for all those outward calls of the gospel they remain unchanged.  What must yet occur before they trust in Christ?  There must be that inward effectual call.  This is the call which the Holy Spirit effects in the heart of the person to bring them savingly to Christ.  It is the Holy Spirit, Who regenerates the individual.  He brings us from spiritual deadness to spiritual life.  He enables us to hear ‘the word of truth,’ not just with our ears, but with our hearts.  He enables us to hear this effectual call.  He grants us repentance unto life and gives us faith to believe what we could never credit before while we were ‘dead in trespasses and sins.’  This is part of this personal experience of salvation of which we have begun to speak.  We extend the gospel message constantly, knowing that the Holy Spirit will do His work to effectually call souls to Christ.  If you today hear this call unto your own soul, embrace Christ as He is freely offered to you in the gospel.

Our Wise and Holy God,
we rejoice in the work of Your Spirit,
to effectually call souls unto Yourself.
We praise You that all whom You have given unto Christ,
shall come to Him.

Tomm Tice
Where the Bush is Burning