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The Called Romans 8:28
Those who are “the called” are those who were chosen and predestinated unto salvation in Christ before the world began (Romans 8:28-31; 9:23-24). “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. 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. What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?” — God will “make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory, Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles.” The objects of election and effectual calling are the same. Those who were chosen in eternity are called in time; and those who are called in time were chosen in eternity. Those who are “the called” are those who are in Christ (Jude 1). — “Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called.” We were from eternity in his hands as our Surety, in his loins as our Representative, in his care as our Shepherd, and in his heart as our Husband. Those who are “the called” are those who were redeemed and purchased by the precious blood of the Lord Jesus Christ at Calvary. Throughout the Word of God, election, redemption, and effectual calling are works of grace performed for the same people. We were chosen because God loved us, redeemed because God the Father chose us, and called by the Holy Spirit because the Father chose us, and the Son redeemed us. Is this, or is it not the teaching of Holy Scripture? Read Isaiah 43:1 and Zechariah 10:8, and see for yourself. “But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.” — “I will hiss for them, and gather them; for I have redeemed them.” Those who are “the called” are those who appear the most unlikely to be called (Matthew 11:25; 1 Corinthians 1:26; James 2:5). Publicans and harlots go into the kingdom of God, being called of God, while scribes and Pharisees sit around and debate about who is holiest, which church is the true church, where heaven is, when the Lord is going to come again, whether Adam had a navel, or where Cain got his wife! Sinners, real sinners, guilty, helpless, doomed, damned, ungodly, abominable, filthy sinners are interested in just one thing — mercy! The people who need mercy, publicans and harlots, not good, religious people, are those who are “the called.” Those who are “the called” are those who ultimately are glorified with Christ (Romans 8:30). — “Whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also called.” Those who are irresistibly called are infallibly kept by the grace of God, and shall be eternally glorified with Christ. After all, he has called us to glory and honor! Those who are “the called” are all who trust the Lord Jesus Christ (John 15:16; Colossians 2:12). If any sinner calls on Christ in faith, it is because he has been called by the effectual, irresistible power and grace of God the Holy Spirit.
Don Fortner
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Pastor Fortner’s
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