The effectual call of God is His powerful invitation that brings sinners to Christ for salvation.
The effectual call, as demonstrated in Matthew's conversion, is a sovereign act of God's grace that enables a person to respond positively to the gospel. This call is not a mere invitation; it is an authoritative command that results in the transformation of the heart and leads to faith in Christ. When Jesus called Matthew in Matthew 9, it was a demonstration of His ability to penetrate hard hearts and bring about genuine repentance and faith. The effectual call ensures that those whom God has chosen will respond and embrace Christ as their Savior (Romans 8:30). This highlights the doctrine of sovereign grace, showing that salvation ultimately depends on God’s initiative rather than human efforts.
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