Welcome, come submissively for Theology is an empty vessel without grace in the heart.


This is designed to be a Christ focused expository look at common questions and basic biblical and theological terms. I wish for us to examine in the simplest terms, so even I can comprehend, as they are expounded upon in the bible, answers to foundations of sound doctrine and look towards the single focus of glorifying God.

I pray that we come humblily to His Word and He opens our hearts to His message and blinds us to our ignorance. In Jesus name, Amen…

May 15, 2004

What is Effectual calling?

John 6:37 “All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.”

What power and majesty is the that word “Shall”. He leaves little doubt; he leaves no chance for failure. He does not say with your permission or if you except. It does not read “may” or “might” but an unquestionable “SHALL”. I hear often arguments against election to verses that preach of man coming and man’s faith. This by no means contradicts predestination but instead is the manifestation of a divine plan of a sovereign God. A grace filled heart “shall” come willing, “shall” cry for mercy, “shall” repent, and “shall” believe. And those that Christ died for, for all that the Father gave Him to redeem “shall” come to Him. At a point in time appointed in the life of an elect, fixed at an hour, determined before the foundation of the world, the Lord shall by His Spirit, His Word, sweetly and graciously compile that man to come as they are that he may find comfort in the bosom of the Savior (Rom 8:30). And that He does not by any violation of the free agency of man but by the riches and power of His free grace. A man is not saved against his will, but rather he is made willing by the gentle touch of the Holy Spirit. The hands of the Lord reach into the man and opens his hard heart and makes a new creature of him. To the proud self-righteous man, he is brought to his knees. The man willfully sinning, now willfully repents of those sins. The man living by works and guilt is now powered by love and faith. The man a bond slave to the flesh is now under the authority of Christ (Phil 1:29).

Irresistible grace or effectual calling is the Spirit, Messenger, Word, by an irresistible argument conquering your understanding, by an irresistible reason conquering your affections, and by an irresistible love conquering your heart. By His calling you are subdued and yield to His grace. Some may be drawn gently and over many events while others are drawn so suddenly and profoundly that the moment is sized in their mind. No two calling or convictions may be the same but they are similar in these ways. It is the Spirit that calls (Jhn 6:44), they see themselves as a sinner, and there is a true change and conversion in their heart (Gal 1:15-16).

Jer 31:3 “The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with loving-kindness have I drawn thee.”

posted by Eric Wilson @ 2:56 PM