Effectual Calling: God's Sovereign Work in Drawing Sinners to Christ

As we continue our journey through the timeless truths of the faith, it's fitting to build upon our recent devotional on union with Christ. In that reflection, we explored the profound spiritual bond that unites God's chosen people to their Savior, spiritually and mystically, yet really and inseparably. Today, we turn our attention to how that union is initiated: effectual calling. This is the moment when God Himself intervenes in the life of a sinner, transforming us from death to life, rebellion to willing obedience. It's a doctrine that humbles us, exalts God's grace, and stirs our hearts to worship.

The Westminster Larger Catechism captures this beautifully in its 67th question and answer:

"What is effectual calling?"

"Effectual calling is the work of God’s almighty power and grace, whereby (out of his free and special love to his elect, and from nothing in them moving him thereunto) he doth, in his accepted time, invite and draw them to Jesus Christ, by his Word and Spirit; savingly enlightening their minds, renewing and powerfully determining their wills, so as they (although in themselves dead in sin) are hereby made willing and able freely to answer his call, and to accept and embrace the grace offered and conveyed therein."

Today, we unpack this rich definition, grounding and testing our understanding in Scripture. As we do, may the Holy Spirit illuminate our minds and renew our affections for the God who calls us out of darkness into His marvelous light.

The Work of God's Almighty Power and Grace

Effectual calling begins, not with human effort, but with the sovereign initiative of God. It is "the work of God’s almighty power and grace." The Bible repeatedly emphasizes that salvation is a divine act, powered by the same resurrection power that raised Christ from the dead. Consider Ephesians 1:19-20, where Paul prays that believers would know "The immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places." This is no mere suggestion or invitation that depends on our response; it is God's mighty power at work, overcoming our natural resistance.

John 5:25 echoes this resurrection theme: "Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live." Just as Jesus called Lazarus from the tomb, so God calls spiritually dead sinners to life. This calling is effectual, meaning it accomplishes what it intends, because it flows from God's omnipotent grace and power.

Out of His Free and Special Love to His Elect

A question many ask is, why does God call some and not others? The catechism answers by stating: "out of his free and special love to his elect, and from nothing in them moving him thereunto." This underscores the unconditional nature of God's election. Romans 9:11 reminds us that God's choice is not based on human works or merit: "though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad—in order that God's purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of him who calls." God's love is free, unprompted by anything in us. We were not chosen because we were lovable; we are lovable because we were chosen. He chooses because he wants to.

Ephesians 2:4-9 further illuminates this: "But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved... so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." Here, grace is sovereign, love is particular to the elect, and salvation excludes all boasting. Titus 3:4-5 adds, "But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit." God's calling is rooted in His mercy, not our merit.

In His Accepted Time

God's calling occurs "in his accepted time," reminding us that the Lord is sovereign over the timing of salvation. 2 Corinthians 6:1-2 urges, "Working together with him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain. For he says, 'In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.' Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation." Yet, this timing is God's prerogative, his choice. 2 Timothy 1:8-9 speaks of God "Who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began." From eternity past, God has appointed the moment when His call breaks through.

Invite and Draw Them to Jesus Christ, by His Word and Spirit

How does God execute this calling? He "doth... invite and draw them to Jesus Christ, by his Word and Spirit." The external call comes through the preaching of the gospel, something we are told in 2 Corinthians 5:20: "Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God." But for the elect, this is accompanied by an internal, irresistible drawing. John 6:44 declares, "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day."

2 Thessalonians 2:13-14 describes this dual work: "But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth. To this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ." The Spirit uses the Word preaching to draw us irresistibly to Christ.

Savingly Enlightening Their Minds

Effectual calling involves "savingly enlightening their minds." Sin blinds us so that we cannot see spiritual truths, but God opens our eyes. Acts 26:18 speaks of turning from darkness to light, "To open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me." 1 Corinthians 2:10-12 adds, "These things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God... Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given to us by God." John 6:45 echoes, "It is written in the Prophets, 'And they will all be taught by God.' Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me." This enlightenment is divine teaching, making the gospel not just heard but understood and cherished.

Renewing and Powerfully Determining Their Wills

God also works by "renewing and powerfully determining their wills." Our wills, enslaved to sin, are liberated and redirected. Ezekiel 11:19 promises, "And I will give them one heart, and a new spirit I will put within them. I will remove the heart of stone from their flesh and give them a heart of flesh." Similarly, Ezekiel 36:26-27 tells us: "And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules."

Deuteronomy 30:6 foretells, "And the Lord your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your offspring, so that you will love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live." Philippians 2:13 affirms, "For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure." God's power renews our desires, making us willing and able participants in His work of salvation.

Though we are "in themselves dead in sin," God's call makes us "willing and able freely to answer his call." Ephesians 2:5 reiterates that God, while we were still dead in our sins, made us alive. This act of God transforms spiritual corpses into responsive believers.

Application: Embracing the Grace Offered

Christian, effectual calling is not an abstract doctrine but a personal reality. If you have been drawn to Christ, made to see His beauty, and renewed to love Him, praise God for His sovereign grace! Examine your heart: Has the Spirit made you willing to forsake sin and embrace Jesus? If not, heed the external call today—now is the day of salvation.

For our church family, let this truth fuel our evangelism. We proclaim the gospel faithfully, knowing God uses it to effectually call His elect. It also comforts us in trials, reminding us that our union with Christ, initiated by this calling, is unbreakable.

As we reflect on this, may we echo the psalmist's prayer in Psalm 119:36: "Turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain." God alone can do this work, and He does it faithfully for His glory and our good.

Soli Deo Gloria