The Effectual Call: Reserved for God's Elect – A Devotional on Westminster Larger Catechism Question 68

At Weaver Baptist Church, our journey through the Westminster Larger Catechism continues to reveal the depths of God's sovereign grace in salvation. In our previous devotional, we delved into Question 67, unpacking the essence of effectual calling as God's almighty work of salvation, drawing sinners to Christ through His Word and Spirit, enlightening minds, renewing wills, and enabling a free response to His grace. All of this is rooted in His free love for the elect. Now, building directly on that foundation, Question 68 sharpens our focus on the scope of this divine summons: Is it universal, or is it uniquely tailored? As we explore this, Scripture illuminates the distinction between the broad gospel invitation and the targeted, transformative call that ensures true faith, assuring believers while urging all to heed the Word.

Are the Elect Only Effectually Called?

The catechism asks:

"Are the elect only effectually called?"

The answer affirms:

"All the elect, and they only, are effectually called; although others may be, and often are, outwardly called by the ministry of the Word, and have some common operations of the Spirit; who, for their willful neglect and contempt of the grace offered to them, being justly left in their unbelief, do never truly come to Jesus Christ."

This answer underscores that while the gospel's outward proclamation reaches many, the inward, effectual work, described in detail in our last post, is exclusively for those God has eternally chosen. It's a profound reminder of divine sovereignty: salvation isn't left to chance or human initiative but is secured by God's electing purpose. Yet, it also highlights human accountability, as rejection stems from willful neglect, not divine capriciousness. Let's examine how Scripture draws this line, distinguishing the elect's experience from others'.

Understanding the Effectual Call: Reserved for God's Elect

Having established what effectual calling entails in Question 67, we now see its exclusivity: this irresistible drawing is reserved for God's elect. God doesn't merely offer grace universally and hope for takers; He ensures the salvation of His chosen by applying it effectually to them. This does not diminish the gospel's sincerity but magnifies God's faithfulness to His decree.

Acts 13:48 illustrates this during Paul's Gentile mission: "And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed." Faith erupted not in everyone, but precisely among those appointed, God's elect, demonstrating that the effectual call aligns perfectly with election, producing belief where the outward message alone might not.

Jesus reinforces this in John 6:64-65: "But there are some of you who do not believe. (For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who it was who would betray him.) And he said, ‘This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father.’" True coming to Christ demands the Father's gift, extended solely to the elect, ensuring the call's success.

The Outward Call: Extended to Many, Yet Insufficient Alone

In contrast to the inward power reserved for the elect, the outward call broadcasts the gospel widely through preaching, teaching, and witness. This is God's merciful invitation to all: repent and believe. However, without the accompanying effectual work, it doesn't produce lasting faith.

Matthew 22:14 captures this in the wedding parable: "For many are called, but few are chosen." Invitations blanket the streets, but only the chosen, who are clothed in Christ's righteousness, enter the feast. The outward call fulfills the Great Commission, creating avenues for the elect to respond, but for others, it highlights their responsibility in rejection.

Common Operations of the Spirit: Mimicking Faith Without the Effectual Call

The catechism notes that non-elect hearers may experience common operations of the Spirit, temporary stirrings that resemble genuine conversion but lack depth and endurance. These aren't saving but serve to make unbelief inexcusable.

In Matthew 7:22, Jesus forewarns: "On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ ... And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’" The outward signs suggest spiritual life, yet without election's seal, they prove hollow.

The sower's parable in Matthew 13:20-21 depicts shallow responses: "As for what was sown on the rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away." Initial enthusiasm from hearing the Word fades under pressure, revealing no true regeneration, common operations, not the effectual call.

Hebrews 6:4-6 describes profound yet fleeting encounters: "For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance." Tasting heavenly realities and the Spirit's influence doesn't equate to salvation if not reserved for the elect; apostasy exposes the absence of God's preserving call.

Willful Neglect and Divine Justice: Why Some Remain in Unbelief

Scripture explains unbelief as both human choice and divine prerogative. Persistent contempt invites judicial hardening, confirming that the effectual call is withheld justly.

John 12:38-40 fulfills prophecy: "So that the word spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: ‘Lord, who has believed what he heard from us, and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? Therefore they could not believe. For again Isaiah said, ‘He has blinded their eyes and hardened their heart, lest they see with their eyes, and understand with their heart, and turn, and I would heal them.’" Rejection hardens hearts, barring conversion, a sovereign act that upholds justice.

In Acts 28:25-27, Paul quotes Isaiah: "‘Go to this people, and say, “You will indeed hear but never understand, and you will indeed see but never perceive.” For this people’s heart has grown dull, and with their ears they can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed; lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them.’" Dull ears and closed eyes from willful sin lead to exclusion, making the outward call a witness against them.

Psalm 81:11-12 laments: "But my people did not listen to my voice; Israel would not submit to me. So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts to follow their own counsels." Neglect results in abandonment to sin, a fair consequence that underscores the privilege of the elect's call.

Devotional Application: Assurance for the Elect and a Call to All

Integrating these truths with our prior study on effectual calling's mechanics, we find rich application at Weaver Baptist Church. For those experiencing its fruits, enlightened understanding, renewed desires, and enduring faith, rejoice: You are among God's elect, with salvation eternally secured. This exclusivity is not about elitism but grounds for humility and praise, knowing God chose you freely. No one but God knows the full number of the elect.

For all encountering this: The outward call rings out, come to Christ today. Don't despise offered grace; examine if common stirrings point to deeper need. If the Spirit convicts, yield, trusting God to effectually draw. Repent and believe the gospel. That Christ, who is fully man and fully God, took on our humanity, being born of the virgin. He lived a perfect, sinless life and laid that life down for his sheep. Three days later, he rose from the grave, proving that death could not hold him because he has all authority in heaven and on earth. Now he sits in heaven preparing a place for his people.

Soli Deo Gloria