CALLING WHICH IS EFFECTIVE

THE BIBLE SPEAKS CF A "CALL" WHICH NOT ONLY INVITES BUT ACTUALLY BRINGS SINNERS  TO SALVATION.

          

            Rom. 8:28, 30a "Called according to his purpose" - "whom he did predestinate, them he                also called." That purpose calls for faith, as well as glorification.

            1 Cor. 1:26 "Ye see your calling, Brethren," - not many wise, mighty, noble.

 This "Call" always accomplishes its purpose.

            Luke 14:15-23 15 "And when one of them that sat at meat with him heard these things, he said unto him, Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God.
16  Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many:
17  And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready.
18  And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused.
19  And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused.
20  And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.
21  So that servant came, and showed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind.
22  And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room.
23  And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled."

                        General call resisted (16-21a)

                        Effective call answered (21b-23)

          Yet this "call" does not violate man's freedom, nor force him to come against his will.

                     Acts 16:14 "Heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things..."

                     John 6:45 "Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father , cometh   unto me."

                     Phil. 2:12-13 "Work out your own salvation"..."For it is God that worketh in you."

           The reason for this "Call" is God's eternal purpose toward us in Christ Jesus, not any works of ours.

                     2 Tim. 1:9 "Called us with an holy calling...according to his own purpose... before the        world began."

 This "Call" of God is certain as to its final issue.

            1 Thess. 5:23-24 "Preserved blameless unto the coming...faithful is he that calleth you,      who will also do it."

            Rom. 8:30b "Them he also glorified."

           But its certainty does not relieve those called of their personal responsi­bility.

            1 Tim. 6:12 "Lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called."

            2 Pet. 1:10 "Make your calling and election sure."

            Rev. 17:14 "And they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful."