THE DETERMINED OBJECTIVE OF SALVATION -- Tomorrow:
"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified. What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? Who shall bring a charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us." (Romans 8:28-34, NKJV)
Devotion 21 of 33
"Moreover whom He did predestinate, them He also called . . . "
At this point we learn that while Divine choices are not always known to us, we can now associate our calling – something we DO realize and know according to God's predetermination. In fact, Peter puts calling and election together: "Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your CALLING AND ELECTION sure . . . " (2 Pet 1:10). Predestination, or election, is not to be viewed as a cold and lifeless doctrine! A Living God cannot proclaim lifeless doctrine! By "lifeless doctrine," I mean teaching that does not encourage and promote thought, understanding, gratification, and assurance. By the same token, men must give all diligence to altogether avoid doctrines that do not allow for the use of terms like "predestinated," and "election." If the doctrinal persuasion that is embraced causes one to recoil at such words, it cannot possibly reflect the mind of the Lord, for He is the One who employs those words when delineating His great salvation. Theological views that dismiss such words as factious and unnecessary, need to be thrown into the theological garbage can.
DIVINE CHOICE IMPLEMENTED BY MEANS
Immediately we see that the foreknowledge and predestination of God are carried out by Divinely appointed means. In the matter of salvation, God does not accomplish His determinations by decree, or Divine fiat. His people are not spoken into existence. Nor, indeed, is their participation in His salvation initiated by their own will or choice. In the matter of redemption, effective causes are not traced to men, but to God Himself. It is not possible for the ones who are being saved to themselves cause any part of that salvation to take place.
THE PREDESTINATED ARE CALLED
Those God foreknew and determined to be conformed to the image of His Son are "called." God can put a hook in the jaw of His creation, and draw them in, so to speak. Thus He said to Sennacherib, "Therefore I will put My hook in your nose, And My bridle in your lips, And I will turn you back by the way which you came" (Isa 37:29). This is NOT, however, how salvation is implemented! The salvation of God is set in motion by a call – a Divine call. This is not men calling God, but God calling men.
Those who are predestined are called. From the beginning, God has made known He calls, invites, or summons. This is the very first response of God to the fall of man: "And the LORD God CALLED unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?" (Gen 3:9). Once he had sinned, Adam did not call upon God, or engage in a quest to find him and set the matter straight. That was after only one sin, one time. Yet, sin had such an effect upon Adam and Eve that neither one of them took one step toward God, or uttered a single syllable addressed to Him.
A CALL is how Abraham was brought into the working of the Lord (Gen 12:1-3). God brought Moses into the work of appointed deliverance when he "CALLED unto him out of the midst of the bush" (Ex 3:4). Samuel was summoned into Divine employment when "the Lord CALLED" him (1 Sam 3:4). When Jesus chose His disciples, He did it by CALLING them unto Himself (Matt 10:1). There is simply too much in the word of God about Him calling people. The fact that men have such difficulty discussing the subject reveals either ignorance or dishonesty, and neither one is acceptable before God – not in this day, when God has revealed His will.
In all of the above examples, the ones called were first chosen. It is the same in our text: "those He predestined, He also called" (NIV). Elsewhere in Scripture, we are told that God calls men by the Gospel of His Son. "God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth, to which He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ" (2 Thess 2:14). The Spirit uses the Gospel to awaken conviction and deep desire within those who are "dead in trespasses and sins" (Eph 2:1). The Gospel boldly announces "Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely" (Rev 22:17). That is obviously an invitation that is open to every person. But there is not a single individual who was ever aware of this until it was declared to him.
But our text does NOT say every person is called – only those who are "predestinated." This does not mean the Gospel is not addressed to everyone, or that a general summons is not sounded to "every creature" (Mk 16:16). Rather, this is viewing the totality and conclusion of salvation from the beginning. There is a general call that goes out to "every creature" (Mk 16:15-16). However, that is NOT the call being declared in our text. This is viewing the call from a higher vantage point. It is ACCOUNTING for the participation of men in salvation, not declaring its availability to them – and there is a vast difference in those two views. These are common factors found in the experience all who ultimately will be glorified.
This call comes through the proclamation of the Gospel, but is effective in those who hear it. There are people who are inclined to this calling, and will not let it pass them by. They sense the nearness of the Lord and the availability of His great salvation.
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, I thank You for making the Gospel personal by effectively calling men to confidently embrace the Good News it proclaims.