The Call of God: General and Effectual
The concept of "call" is central to Christian theology, referring to God's summons to humanity. It is not a mere invitation but a divine imperative, revealing His character and purpose. The King James Version (KJV) Bible presents two distinct yet related aspects of this divine summons: the general call and the effectual call. Understanding this distinction is crucial for comprehending God's sovereignty, human responsibility, and the nature of salvation.
The General Call of God
The general call of God is broad and universal, extended to all humanity without exception. It is God's open invitation, His common grace reaching every corner of the earth. This call is outward, audible, and visible, appealing to the intellect and conscience of every individual.
Its manifestations are manifold:
- Creation: The very existence of the universe eloquently testifies to the power and glory of its Creator. The heavens declare God's handiwork, and the intricate design of life itself points to an intelligent Designer.
The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.
For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
- Conscience: God has written His moral law on the hearts of men, enabling them to discern between right and wrong, even apart from written revelation.
For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)
- The Gospel Proclamation: Most significantly, the general call is extended through the preaching of the Gospel. The good news of salvation through Jesus Christ is commanded to be preached to every creature, offering repentance and remission of sins to all who hear.
And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
The nature of this call is that it is a sincere offer of salvation, but it does not inherently impart the ability or desire to respond in saving faith. It can be, and often is, rejected. This is evident in the words of our Lord:
For many are called, but few are chosen.
This verse succinctly captures the essence of the general call's breadth versus the effectual call's specificity. The general call is heard by many, but only a few respond savingly.
The Effectual Call of God
In stark contrast to the general call, the effectual call is specific, internal, and irresistible. It is God's sovereign act of drawing an individual to Himself, regenerating their heart, and enabling them to respond in saving faith and repentance. This call is always effective; it never fails to achieve its intended purpose.
The divine initiative is paramount in the effectual call; it is entirely God's work, not dependent on human merit or initiative. Jesus Himself declared:
No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.
This "drawing" is not a mere external invitation but an internal, powerful work of the Holy Spirit, changing the heart of stone into a heart of flesh, imparting spiritual life where there was spiritual death. This is the miracle of regeneration, making a person willing and able to believe.
The purpose and outcome of the effectual call are inextricably linked to God's eternal purpose of election and predestination. The apostle Paul outlines this glorious chain of salvation:
For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
This "golden chain" demonstrates that the effectual call is not a standalone event but a crucial link in God's unbreakable plan to bring His chosen people to salvation and ultimate glory. Those whom God effectually calls, He also justifies and glorifies. This call is described in various ways in Scripture:
- A "holy calling," not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace (2 Timothy 1:9).
- A "high calling" in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:14).
- A call "out of darkness into his marvellous light" (1 Peter 2:9).
- A call "unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord" (1 Corinthians 1:9).
- A call "unto peace" (Colossians 3:15).
These descriptions highlight that the effectual call is a transformative act, involving the regeneration of the spirit, giving new life and a new heart that desires God and His righteousness.
Distinguishing the Calls
The differences between the general and effectual calls are profound and foundational to understanding God's plan of salvation. They can be summarized as follows:
- Scope: The general call is universal, extended to all humanity. The effectual call is particular, directed only to God's elect.
- Recipient: The general call is for all who hear the Gospel. The effectual call is for the chosen, those whom God has foreknown and predestined.
- Nature: The general call is primarily external, through preaching, creation, and conscience. The effectual call is primarily internal, a direct, supernatural work of the Holy Spirit on the heart.
- Outcome: The general call can be resisted and rejected, leading to condemnation for those who refuse it. The effectual call is irresistible and always leads to salvation, as it imparts the desire and ability to believe.
- Agent: Both originate from God, but the general call is often mediated through human instruments and natural revelation, while the effectual call is a direct, sovereign act of God the Holy Spirit.
The Purpose of God's Calls
Both the general and effectual calls serve God's ultimate purpose: His glory. They work in concert to display the multifaceted character of God.
The general call demonstrates God's benevolence and His desire for all to come to repentance. It upholds His justice in condemning those who refuse His widespread invitation, leaving humanity without excuse for rejecting Him.
The effectual call magnifies God's sovereign grace, His power to save, and His faithfulness to His eternal purposes. It ensures that His chosen people are brought into His kingdom, transformed by His Spirit, and ultimately glorified with Christ. It is through these effectually called individuals that God builds His church, displays His manifold wisdom, and receives eternal praise.
Responding to the Call
For those who hear the general call, the responsibility is clear: to repent and believe the Gospel. God commands all men everywhere to repent:
And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:
This is the appropriate response to the universal invitation, acknowledging sin and turning to Christ for salvation.
For those who have experienced the effectual call, the response is one of humble gratitude, diligent obedience, and a life lived in accordance with their new identity in Christ. Believers are exhorted to "walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called" (Ephesians 4:1) and to "give diligence to make your calling and election sure" (2 Peter 1:10) by abounding in Christian virtues. This does not mean earning salvation, but demonstrating the reality of the effectual call through a transformed life that bears the fruit of the Spirit.
Conclusion
The dual nature of God's call—general and effectual—reveals the depth of His wisdom and the breadth of His grace. The general call extends His merciful invitation to all, holding humanity accountable for their response. The effectual call, however, is the saving work of God, drawing His elect irresistibly to Himself, securing their salvation from beginning to end. Understanding this distinction allows believers to marvel at God's sovereignty in salvation, to humbly acknowledge His grace, and to live lives that reflect the transforming power of His effectual summons. It compels us to faithfully share the general call of the Gospel with all, knowing that God will effectually call His own unto eternal life.