God’s call to human beings is one. But in Christianity, it has two aspects. The general call of God has already been written about, often by preaching the gospel. It is given to everyone indiscriminately. But no human being has responded to His general call (Rom. 3:10, 11). The second aspect of God’s call is the effectual (internal) calling (Rom. 1:6). This aspect of God’s call is the purpose of this article.
Only a regenerate person can receive God’s call and make it effectual in themselves. God draws the now-regenerate sinner to salvation through the effectual call (John 6:44; 1 Pet. 1:3). The Holy Spirit applies it and affects the person’s life, effecting their salvation, and God does not withdraw it (Rom. 11:29).
The effectual call refers to God’s offer that draws sinners to believe in Christ and receive salvation (Rom. 8:30). This call is a work of the Holy Spirit, who uses moral persuasion in the regenerate sinner’s life, resulting in conversion and eternal life with God.
After reading the Bible, it is clear that God’s effectual call is not a command. Once the elect person has been regenerated, their focus shifts to God, not themselves. The Holy Spirit then goes to work, and when this person hears the gospel, the Spirit makes it morally effective so the person listens to God’s word.
As I said earlier, the Holy Spirit works morally and persuasively. Therefore, God’s calling works only in the conscious life of a regenerate human being. The Holy Spirit works spiritually in a person so that they understand the truth of the gospel and listen to God. This is one step in the conversion process, allowing the person to seek righteousness.
The Holy Spirit leads the elect person to Christ. No one is forced to seek God and accept the call. As Louis Berkhof writes, “It is a calling to the fellowship of Jesus Christ, 1 Cor. 1:9; to inherit the blessing, 1 Pet. 3:9; to liberty, Gal. 5:13; to peace, 1 Cor. 7:15; to holiness, 1 Thess.4:7; to one hope, Eph. 4:4; to eternal life, 1 Tim. 6:12; and to God’s kingdom and glory, 1 Thess. 2:12.[1]
Regeneration and effectual calling are different. God commands regeneration, and the Holy Spirit effects it internally. It takes place in the subconscious. Effectual calling, on the other hand, affects the person’s conscious life externally, and God does not command it. Through the Holy Spirit’s moral persuasion, the person seeks God. Regeneration brings the person chosen by God the Father from spiritual death to spiritual life. Then, through the effectual call, the Holy Spirit turns a person’s thoughts and actions toward God.
The general call usually occurs sometime before the person is regenerated. After regeneration, the effectual call is when the person is open to godly things; they hear the gospel, and through the Holy Spirit’s work, the sinner becomes externally desirous of the godly things. The sinner then submits to the truth of the gospel and is eventually converted to belief in Jesus Christ.
Christians must understand that logically the general call precedes regeneration. It can coincide with regeneration, but it usually comes before it. After regeneration, the regenerated person hears God’s call when the gospel is preached. Because of regeneration, they desire to obey God. The Holy Spirit applies what they hear; the truth of the gospel becomes effectual in their heart, a heart that has experienced regeneration.
It must be pointed out that for each of the elect, the order of the conversion process, beginning with the general call, is the same, but the time of regeneration through the belief in Christ varies. In fact, regeneration and the effective call can be simultaneous for some people, but often they are not.
[1] Louis Berkhof, Systematic Theology, combined ed. (The Banner of Truth Trust, 2021), p. 486-87.
