Cape Town and Table Mountain in South Africa, October 2004

The Outward Call of God:

God calls all people to believe in and follow Him. It is the sound of the trumpet that goes out to everyone, giving the gospel message. "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved" (Romans 10:13 KJV). The outward call is not irresistible. It can be resisted.

A scene from a farm in Clinton, Tennessee

The Inward Call of God:  

The inward call is irresistible. It cannot be resisted. It is effectual. It takes effect because God wonderfully overpowers the heart, and draws the will to embrace Christ.

"God, by the outward call blows the trumpet in the ear; by the inward call He opens the heart. The outward call may bring men to a profession of Christ, the inward call brings them to a possession of Christ. The outward call curbs a sinner, the inward call changes him" (Thomas Watson, A Divine Cordial, 77).

 Zion National Park, Utah

Have you been effectually called?

Do you have a profession or a possession of Christ?

Are you convinced of your sin and misery?

Has your mind been enlightened in the knowledge of Christ and your will been renewed?

Do you love God's Word, or are you still an enemy of Christ, kicking against His Law?

Is God's Word your chief delight every day? Are you eager to learn from Him? 

Or, are you ever learning but never coming to the knowledge of the truth? Never really changing your ways? Never being humbled, never looking to God for instruction, never desiring to live a holy life of love and obedience to Him in everything you do? 

 "As chastity distinguishes a virtuous woman from a harlot, so holiness distinguishes the godly from the wicked"

(Thomas Watson, A Divine Cordial, 80).  

Have you been effectually called of God?

Photo taken in Yellowstone National Park