So look at what Paul says here
about this, particularly in the end of verse 28, and then forward
to the end of verse 30. We know that all things work
together for good to them that love God, to them who are the
called according to His purpose. Now, hang on every word if you
would. Called according to His purpose. for whom he did foreknow, he
also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that
he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover, whom
he did predestinate, them he also called, and whom he called,
them he also justified, and whom he justified, them he also glorified. Now going back over the text,
please notice that we have two mentions of calling in the end
of verse 28. Them that are called according
to purpose. And then look again at verse
29. Whom He did predestinate. Verse 30, I'm sorry. Whom He
did predestinate them He also called." So we want to look this
morning at the effectual call. I chose this as our initial passage
of the Scripture for a number of reasons. Some of them are
as follows. Number one, they are such as
love God that are in view. And number two, they are such
that are called according unto purpose. Paul brings in here
the purpose of God. And there are two things Now,
there are two things that are the same. Murray calls the first
their subjective or subjunctive attitude. Here is that that describes
the people that Paul is discussing. Now, the second speaks of the
eternal purpose which God formed in the Lord Jesus Christ before
the foundation of the world. Now, the word purpose is a prominent
one in the Scripture. It is a favorite one with the
Apostle Paul, as we find it several times in his writings. And it
refers to that purpose of grace which God formed before the world
concerning the salvation of the elect who are chosen in Jesus
Christ. For we read in Romans 9 and verse
11, The purpose of God according to election. And that it might
stand, Paul writes. The purpose of God according
to election. 2 Timothy 1 and verse 9. He mentions it again. That we're
saved and we're called according to His own purpose and grace
which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world ever began. then again in Ephesians 1 and
verse 11. We read there that salvation
is, quote, according to the purpose of him who works all things after
the counsel of his own will." Now, again, let me bring this
up, that the text in Romans chapter 8 brings before our mind the
suggestion of an ordo salutis, as it is called, or in English,
the order of salvation. That is that in the application
of this great salvation, one thing follows another. One thing
follows as a consequence of something that has gone before. And if
you look at Ephesians chapter 1, I think you'll see that order
again. Not every single thing is listed
in any one place, But there are several orders of salvation that
we might find in the Scripture. And he traces the work of God
from God's foreknowing them unto their glorification in the text
that I read. Whom He did foreknow, He carries
all the way through, them He also glorified. And I might point
out, That all of those words are in the Eroist tense. They are in the past tense as
we look at them. And finally, that an integral
part of this purpose of God with regard on the salvation is the
effectual call. And notice that Paul leads into
this blessed text with those words, called according unto
purpose. Called according to purpose.
And again, the calling to salvation is given a very prominent place
in the writing. the theology of the Apostle Paul. He speaks of it often, reminding
the saints that they have been divinely called by God into the
fellowship of Him. I'd like to give us a few examples
of that, that people are the called according to the purpose
of God. In Romans 1 and verse 6, for
example, he refers to them as the called of Jesus Christ. You are called of and by the
Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 1 and verse 26,
he bids them to look out over their calling. He said, brethren,
see your calling. What sort are called? and what
sort are not called. 2 Timothy 1 and 9, I've already
referenced, has called you with a holy calling according to His
purpose. Galatians 5 verse 13, Paul reminds
them, you have been called unto liberty by the Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 4 and verse 4, you
are called in one hope of your calling. And 2 Thessalonians
2 and verse 14 said, not only has God from the beginning chosen
you to salvation, whereunto He called you by our Gospel. And Peter makes that wonderful
announcement on the Day of Pentecost. You have it in Acts 2 and verse
39, as many as the Lord our God shall call. Jude verse 1 said,
preserved in Christ Jesus and called. Now Paul also spoke of
his calling as an apostle, not only as a Christian, but as a
minister, preacher, and apostle of the Gentile. Now, though the
doctrine of a divine calling is very prominent in the New
Testament, in the Scripture, it has all but disappeared from
modern preaching and modern pulpits in our day as that old stout
idol of free will is paraded around upon the shoulders of
ministers in this day. They stain the glory of God's
grace and they overthrow the sovereignty to preserve their
beloved, idle free will. And to preserve all free will,
they must deny the doctrine of an irresistible call or irresistible
grace. God, so they say, must honor
the free will of the creature. He doesn't irresistibly call
any to salvation, they say. They say He only woos them. He lovingly invites and He gently
persuades them to come. Have you ever heard someone say,
I have, that God is too much of a gentleman to violate the
free will of man? So He stands outside, and He
gently knocks on the heart's door, and He gently entreats
to be let in, and sometimes they present Jesus to us as if He
were moved to tears because He cannot do a certain thing or
save a certain one. However, divine calling is real
and it is a vital part of the saving process of salvation. Without a divine call, none would
come. Without a divine call, none could
come to Christ, none would turn from their old way of life unto
a new way in Christ, except they were divinely enabled, motivated,
and called. The Lord said Himself in John
6 and verse 37, All that the Father gives me shall come unto
me. However, John 6 and verse 44
No man can come to me, except the Father which sent me draw
him. He said in the next verse, those
that are taught of God, they come unto the Father. Calling therefore is an important
link. in the application of salvation,
and it comes in at just the right time and just the right place
in the work of God. Now, to begin to sound out the
place and the importance of this divine call in the saving process,
I would like to use some thoughts that are found in the writings
of various grace men and sort of make an amalgamation of them,
especially as concerns the application of salvation which is wrought
in our Lord Jesus Christ. Such as, when contemplating and
preaching the application of salvation, it is best to remember
and to think of salvation not as one simple, indivisible act
as so many do today. Again, the saving process consists
in a distinct order of works of our God, each being distinctly
unique to meet a certain need regarding salvation. but all
of them working together and working their part in the saving
process. None of them militating against
another, and we might paraphrase as Paul did the gifts, each in
their own order. each one of them according to
their own order. For example, consider that various
names are given to the various several steps of salvation in
the scripture. Names are given to those several
steps unto glorification. or that lead or emanate in glorification. For example, we have regeneration,
we have calling, we have conversion, we have justification, sanctification,
perseverance, glorification, all of these distinct works of
God in the great work of salvation. Now these must not be co-mingled
together, and all balled up together, they must not be turned one into
another. Each one of them has a distinct
and a unique meaning and purpose with regard to the work of salvation. Each of them serves a particular
function in the purpose of the saving grace of our God and of
his Christ. Each one of these that I have
mentioned is distinct, so that they may be studied separately
and distinctly. They may be studied by themselves
as a work of God. Such as, regeneration is not
the same thing as conversion. Conversion is not the same thing
as regeneration. Justification is not the same
thing as sanctification and vice versa. Calling is not the same
as perseverance, nor is perseverance the same as glorification. though each of these in their
own order by the process of God's blessed and all-wise Spirit. Now, before we settle in on that
one particular aspect of the calling of the elect, let's observe
something from Paul found here in our text, and that is that
Paul gives us a partial ordo salutis, or partial order of
salvation. I say partial because, A, in
no one place do we find every aspect of it indexed, cataloged,
or referenced in the exact order. In fact, in Jude verse 1 that
I quoted a while ago, preservation is put before calling, but we
know in experience that calling comes before Perseverance. Though in experience, the order
is reversed. But then, B, in Romans 8, Paul
does not deal with every aspect of the so great salvation in
this place. He does not do that. in any one
place in the Scripture. He says nothing, for example,
in our text this morning about conversion, sanctification, perseverance
by their name. Taking all Scripture together,
they are mentioned and they fall in their good order. We see order
in that in our text there is a purpose of God, then notice,
and whom he foreknew in that purpose he also did predestinate. As to foreknow, please notice,
as John Murray wrote in his commentary, that there is no qualifying explanation
after foreknowledge, or foreknowing. Look at that very carefully.
It cannot be made to mean, therefore, whom he foreknow would accept,
or would repent, or would believe, or would have faith, or the foresight
of any other act. I say again, there's no qualifying
explanation after that. On the other hand, notice the
attachment to predestination. to be conformed to the image
of His Son. Or in Ephesians 1.5, having predestinated
us unto the adoption of children by or through Jesus Christ. Thus we have this. Everyone He
did foreknow, He also did foreordain. Then see, everyone that He did
foreordain Them, the same ones. Them, they, the same ones. He also called. And it runs right down the line.
Now the whole text has a specific people that are in view. Verse 28, them. Verse 29, whom. Verse 30, we find whom, them,
whom, whom, them. Talking about a particular people
in conjunction with the purpose of God. So then with that, we
settle in on the calling aspect of this great work, which follows
and also has a very close connection to their being ordained according
to the purpose of God Almighty. You will see that, as I stated,
all of these blessings are stated in the past tense in our scripture. You will notice something else.
also seen in Ephesians chapter 1, that some of the blessings
of salvation were ordained before the world ever began, while others
are experienced and applied to those people in this world and
life. Before the world, there was election,
coordination, and the adoption of the children. In time, comes
the internal work of God in His chosen ones, regeneration, calling,
conversion, sanctification, perseverance, and such like. Now, as we see,
calling occupied a sort of a middle station or position, as some
things must necessarily proceed as a basis for the effectual
call, such as for ordination to adoption. For only the children
of God are called and have right or authority to become the children
of God. John's Gospel, chapter 1, 12
and 13. And of course, there is no basis
for the effectual call at all unless Christ has redeemed them,
unless He has died for them, made an atonement in their behalf,
unless they are redeemed, unless Christ has made a definite atonement
with them in mind, To what then are they to be called? There
is no ground for calling if He has not redeemed them. Now again,
except they be regenerate, how then will they respond to this
effectual call from God? How shall they hear who are yet
deaf like the deaf adder who cannot hear the most charming
music? And how shall they come who are
yet dead in their trespasses and in their sin and are haters
of God? Now, in fairness, there have
been those in Reformed circles over the years who have taught
that regeneration is included in effectual calling. In fact,
many of them put effectual calling first and then regeneration out
of that. So that regeneration is part
and partial of the effectual call. And there are many who
do not make any distinction at all between regeneration and
the effectual call and conversion. Here's an excerpt from the Westminster
Confession of Faith that holds that position that I just mentioned. Listen carefully. effectual calling
according to our standards. Now, there it is. Not according
to the scripture, but according to our standard, that is, our
creeds. According to our standards is
the act of the Holy Spirit affecting regeneration. Regeneration is
the effect produced by the Holy Spirit in effectual calling. The Holy Spirit in the act of
effectual calling causes the soul to become regenerate by
implanting a new governing principle or habit or spiritual affection
and action." Westminster Confession. Now this view in effect said
that regeneration is the result of the effectual call. That the
effectual call produces the new life. The call produces regeneration. We're bound to freely grant that
there is a close relationship between regeneration and effectual
calling. Where you find one, you soon
also will find the other. Where there is new life, It will
be brought forth into action and service and obedience and
practice to the Lord Jesus Christ. Not to nitpick, but it seems
reasonable that one must go first. One must go before the other. And that they stand in relation
as cause and effect. And that which is first and is
cause ought to be viewed as a preemptive work of God, that is, initiated
by a sovereign God according to His good pleasure. For the
great need of such a preemptive work lies in the fact of original
sin, human depravity, dead in trespasses and in sin. Half the people that go to church
today do not believe that people are actually dead in trespasses
and in sin. But they cannot come to God as
they are by nature. They cannot love God, yea, they
actually hate Him, as evidenced by their hatred of God's Word,
of His Church, of His people and of His preachers. Here's
the heart of the matter. God has chosen a people in Christ
before the foundation of the world. He ordained them to the
adoption of children. He loved them with an everlasting
love, Jeremiah 31 and 3. For them Christ died, bequeathing
unto them an eternal spiritual inheritance. And yet, as R. L. Dabney wrote in his lectures
in systematic theology, quote, such is man's depravity that
a redemption must not be only provided, but he must be affectionately
persuaded to embrace it, unquote. Here's the two-fold work of God. A redemption is provided and
then there are those that must be persuaded to embrace it. Another author wrote a book showing
not only is redemption accomplished in the suffering and the death
of Christ, but it also must be applied to those for whom it
is intended. it must become to them a living
reality. The redeemed brought to the knowledge
of the truth as it is in Jesus Christ and called away from that
old way of life into the new way of life in Jesus Christ. Now let me be clear. Calling,
faith, conversion, all of these are rooted in regeneration. And regeneration is a fruit of
Christ's redemption, and Christ's redemption is in accordance with
election. So that nothing stands alone
Nothing is independent. All these great things are linked
together in the mind, the purpose, the work and will of God. The
elect, therefore, having been redeemed by Christ, are at God's
time regenerated by a sovereign work of the Spirit, which in
turn results in their conversion from the world and unto Christ. Now notice that our text said,
Whom He did predestinate, them He also called. Them, one and the same. Now, the process, the saving
process, the application of it according to the purpose of God,
I want you to hear this, never stalls at any particular part. It never gets a certain way up
to a certain place, and there stalls and is aborted. Every elect, having been redeemed,
will be regenerated, not by hearing truth, but enabling them to understand
the truth. And every regenerate will be
called, and the call will come and will be converted, having
both faith and repentance by the work of the Spirit of God
in them. Now, regeneration occurs in the
subconscious and produces a new life there. A new principle is
created within. Conversion, then, is the result
of calling forth the new life, which involves faith and repentance
toward God and Christ. Here's a quote from a man, Herman
Hoeksema, in his book, Reformed Dogmatics. He says, and I quote,
The calling is the work of the triune God, whereby He, through
the Spirit of Christ, addresses the elect and so illuminates
them that they're then capable of understanding spiritual things
by which work He has turned from darkness unto light." And to
answer an argument, always put forth by the Armenians when we
speak this way. While this call is always effectual,
it is never violent or with excessive force. That's their argument. That's how they portray it. Armenians
in their ignorance, they love to portray the effectual call
in this way. God dragging a resisting, kicking,
squealing sinner into the kingdom of God that does not wish to
come. That's their caricature that
they have set up concerning effectual calling. In other words, they
say this has God saving sinners against their will. This is a
false caricature designed to impugn the doctrines of grace. We maintain the called freely,
willingly, and gladly respond and come to the Lord Jesus Christ. Why? Psalms 110 and verse 3. Thy people shall be willing in
the day of thy power. Paul wrote to the Philippians
chapter 2 and 13, for it is God that worketh in you both to will
and to do of His good pleasure. Now the one that can control
the heart of man. The one who has power over the
heart and the will of man controls that person. Do they not? The
one who can control the heart controls the person. God can. God does. Make the unwilling
willing. That's what that text said. He
does overcome the enmity in the natural heart. It is a work of
divine grace internally. And I believe that this is a
fruit of regeneration and a part of the effectual call that God
sends forth. And as stated earlier, calling
is a fruit of election. Listen, for example, to Paul,
2 Thessalonians 2, verse 13 and 14, where in the 13th verse,
Paul says, opposed to those upon whom God
sends strong delusion, quote, we are bound to give thanks to
you, thanks to God for you, brethren, beloved, because God has from
the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the
Spirit and belief of the truth. Then, verse 14 said, whereunto He calls you by our gospel to
the obtaining of the eternal glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. He chose you from the beginning
to salvation. He calls you by our gospel. Hence we see that though election
is eternal, sovereign, and unconditional, yet as John Eady wrote, quote,
it works through a certain process to obtain its end, unquote. For they are called in accordance
with election. The purpose of election might
stand. Calling is an undeniable evidence
of previous or prior election, as all of the elect are called,
is the teaching of the Scripture. Paul gives us his experience
in Galatians chapter 1, and in verse 15 you'll find him saying,
God separated me from my mother's womb. That is, He set me apart
from birth. He set me apart from the time
that I came into the world. And then He adds, and called
me by His grace. Yes, God separated me from my
mother's womb. Called me by the grace. And at the same time, We deny
that the regenerate who, or when they are called, come of themselves
and only of themselves and on their own. For as the Lord said
in John 6 and verse 44, no man can come to Me except the Father
draw him. Even the regenerate. are drawn,
are called. Even after they are regenerate
and they hear the gospel, still they are called. Regeneration
makes them ready for calling. As Lazarus was made alive in
the grave, then he was called forth out of that tomb. God, through the Holy Spirit,
gives unto them who are regenerate a hearing ear He begins to open
their understanding. He shows them what sinners they
are, convicts them by the Spirit, lighting the fires of conscience
seven times hotter than ever before. And in this process,
the Holy Spirit also operates upon the will, making them willing,
which before they were unwilling, as was Saul, who became willing
in a moment, saying, Lord, what would you have me to do? Acts 9 and verse 6. They embrace
Christ in the gospel. They then believe upon Him. They
turn to Him with all of their heart as their Lord and Savior. That is, they're converted, as
the foundation for this is laid in their regeneration. And the Holy Spirit continues
to build upon that foundation of the principle of new life,
which will not only result in their conversion and their justification
and sanctification and perseverance, but will ultimately end in their
glorification. Now in the case of the elect,
the process, I repeat, will not be aborted at any particular
point in the work. The regenerate will not fall
back into spiritual deadness. That's an impossibility. The call will never be rescinded. 1 Thessalonians 5 and verse 24,
Faithful is He that called you who also will do it. Conversion will never become
unconversion, and so forth, as the process is carried along,
step after step, process after process, link after link, until
the final goal of glorification. Now, as far as effectual calling,
it seems to occupy, again I say, a middle station in the saving
process, being that point at which the elect, redeemed, and
regenerate sinner is called into an open confession of the Lord
and Savior Jesus Christ, and embraces and practices the Christian
life. In other words, they are converted. Here are some final thoughts
collected from various theologians on the effectual call and how
the new life begins to be manifested. The elect having been given a
hearing ear now to understand the things of God, hears the
voice of Christ in the gospel. Having their ears open, they
hear the voice, not just the minister, but they hear the voice
of Christ in the gospel. His resistance is chained into
a desire to obey and to give Himself up to this Christ. He begins to see all things in
an entirely new and different light, including Himself. And as Lewis Burkhall put it,
this effectual calling, by the truth being applied under the
heart, secures the first holy exercises of the new disposition
put in the heart in regeneration." The work of God is carried on. Our text said it. Whom He did
foreknow, He also did predestinate. Whom He did predestinate, them
He also did call. And the process carries itself
on. Now, those who are saved have
been called. The world likes to make fun of
divine calling. They always put in quotation
marks when they talk about something that has to do with calling in
the church or Christianity. They kind of make fun of it as
if, I know some kooks have claimed to be called to some absurd things,
I know that. But also the Scripture teaches
us that God has called us by His grace. That's part of the
saving process and confirms our election.