Lesson #31—Persuaded and Enabled

Shorter Catechism Q & A #31

Q. What is effectual calling?

A. Effectual calling is the work of God’s Spirit, whereby, convincing us of our sin and misery, enlightening our minds in the knowledge of Christ, and renewing our wills, he doth persuade and enable us to embrace Jesus Christ, freely offered to us in the gospel.

Memorize Q & A—Exposition

Irresistible grace flows from the heart of the Spirit of God to call us out of darkness into his marvelous light; convincing, enlightening, renewing, persuading, and enabling us to embrace Christ as our Savior.

What does it mean?

What is the work of the Spirit?

1. How are we made partakers of our salvation and calling in Christ Jesus? 2 Tim. 1:8–9 [a holy calling]; in Eph. 1:18–20 [our understanding enlightened]; 2 Thess. 2:13–14 [sanctification].
2. Do we need to be convicted of our sin and misery? Rev. 3:17–19; Acts 2:37–38; Rom. 3:20, 23.
3. What does it mean to have our minds enlightened? Eph. 5:8–10; Acts 26:18.
4. What does it mean to receive a new heart? Ezek. 11:19, 36:26–27.
5. How are we enabled to embrace Christ? John 6:44–45 [taught of God]; Phil. 2:13 [God’s good pleasure]; Deut. 30:6 [God’s work]; Eph. 2:4–5 [by grace we are saved].

What is our practice?

1. To be faithful in the hearing of the Word of God preached faithfully by the Lord’s servants.
2. To live by faith, convinced of the grace of God in Christ Jesus.
3. To be ready to repent as the Spirit convinces us of our sin.
4. To be thankful for the comfort and love of God in Christ.

Quotes for thought and discussion:

“It is a high calling, ‘I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God’ Phil 3.14. It is a high calling, (i) Because we are called to high exercises of religion; to be crucified to the world, to live by faith, to do angel’s work, to love God, to be living organs of his praise, to hold communion with the Father and the Son. I John 1:3. (Thomas Watson)

The ‘preaching of the word,’ which is the sounding of God’s silver trumpet in men’s ears. God speaks not by an oracle, he calls by his ministers. Samuel thought it had been the voice of Eli only that called him; but it was God’s voice (1 Sam. 3:6). So, perhaps, you think it is only the minister that speaks to you in the word, but it is God himself who speaks. Therefore Christ is said to speak to us from heaven (Heb. 12:25). How does he speak but by his ministers? As a king speaks by his ambassadors. Know, that in every sermon preached, God calls to you; and to refuse the message we bring, is to refuse God himself. (Thomas Watson)

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