"Salvation, A Deeper Look" (Various Scriptures) Part One

The purpose of these teachings is to provide a greater awareness of what Bible salvation is, and in turn, a greater appreciation for God! In these teachings, we're going to deal with the following aspects of Bible salvation: Calling, Election, Regeneration, Conversion, Union with Christ, Justification, Adoption, Sanctification, and Glorification! Let's deal with calling and what it means. The Bible describes two aspects of "callings." One is a general call for all people to hear and believe the gospel. This general call is found in Matthew 11:28-30. It comes to us from the sharing of the gospel and is offered to all people, even though many don't respond. Christ called all who were "weary and heavy-laden" (Matthew 11:28). The effective call deals with how the sovereign God draws those whom He's chosen, producing salvation in their lives (John 6:37, 44). The effective calling also comes to us from the hearing of the gospel, but in this case, the Father God brings about a willing response from the hearer and the person is saved. Concerning the effective call, Wayne Grudem says, "This calling is rather a kind of "summons" from the King of the universe and it has such power that it brings about the response that it asks for in people's hearts." Let's examine a passage found in Acts 16:14. We read, "A woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple fabrics, a worshiper of God, was listening; and the Lord opened her heart to respond to the things spoken by Paul." Lydia was "a worshiper of God" in the sense of believing in the God of Israel, but at this point, she was not a Christ follower. We're given a similar occurrence about Cornelius in Acts 10. In Acts 16:13, Luke says that "we sat down and began speaking to the women who had assembled." The general call was to the women, but the effective call was to Lydia! The effective call is seen in the words, "and the Lord opened her heart to respond to the things spoken by Paul." Jesus said, "No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him" (John 6:44). It's the drawing of the Father that makes the call effective! If you are a Christ follower, rejoice that God has called you! Lydia would not have been saved if God had not opened her heart to respond! Be encouraged!