The heavenly calling

'The heavenly calling'

— Hebrews 3:1

This heavenly calling, of which all of God’s elect are partakers, is that sovereign and gracious work of the Holy Spirit which brings men to life and faith in Jesus Christ. This is the effectual and irresistible operation of God the Holy Spirit. When we talk about the Holy Spirit’s effectual call, we are not saying that God saves sinners against their will. We simply mean that when the Holy Spirit is sent on an errand of mercy into a man’s heart, he never fails to bring that man to Christ. He so changes the sinner’s nature that he is perfectly willing to receive Christ as Lord and Savior.

1. There is a heavenly calling which is always effectual, bringing men to salvation and life. To be sure there is a true and sincere call which goes forth in the preaching of the gospel which men resist. ‘Many are called, but few are chosen.’ But there is a heavenly calling which always brings salvation. ‘Whom he called, them he also justified.’ ‘Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power.’ ‘Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee.’ It is this calling which distinguishes the believer from the unbeliever. To the unbelieving Jew, Christ crucified is a stumblingblock. To the unbelieving Greek, he is foolishness. ‘But unto them which are called,’ Christ is ‘the power of God and the wisdom of God’.

2. This heavenly and effectual call is necessary for the salvation of men. It is necessary because of man’s nature. By nature man has neither the will nor the ability to come to Christ for salvation (John 5:40; 6:44). If God the Holy Spirit does not effectually call a man to Christ, he never will nor can come. It is necessary because of the purpose of God. We are ‘called according to his purpose’. God has determined to save his elect. But they cannot be saved without his omnipotent call. It is also necessary because of the purchase of Christ. If the Holy Spirit did not call to life those whom Christ has purchased, the Son of God would be robbed of the satisfaction of his soul; but this will never be for “All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.”