The call to follow God is genuine when it includes an effectual call from the Holy Spirit that transforms the heart of the believer.
The Bible distinguishes between a general call and an effectual call. The general call invites everyone to repent and believe but doesn’t guarantee a response. The effectual call, however, is a powerful, internal transformation brought about by the Holy Spirit that enables a sinner to seek and trust in Christ genuinely. This change is necessary because our sinful nature opposes God, making it impossible for us to come to Him without divine intervention. Only through this enlightening work can an individual truly choose to follow the Lord, as the Holy Spirit quickens the heart to respond in faith.
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