When does the Lord Jesus Christ "save His people from their sins?" Most people will answer "At Conversion!" Not so!
Text: "...Who Hath SAVED US and CALLED US with an Holy Calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began...." --II Timothy 1:9
The Apostle Paul here states God has "saved us and called us," by which we are to know that our salvation was prior to the calling here spoken of: otherwise, he would have reversed the order and stated God has "called us and saved us." Then, when are we "saved?"
Some people say we are saved in eternity. This is true if we view the work of God as something SURE, as a condemned man is said to be a "dead" man while he lives. But properly speaking we are not saved in eternity past, and instead, we are saved in time. "But if we are not saved at conversion, then when?" someone will ask. We were saved AT THE CROSS.
We (are) Reconciled to God by the death of His Son ...(Romans 5:lO)
But, God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)
Christ hath redeemed us front the curse of the law, being made a curse for us.... (Galatians 3:13)
Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by His own blood He entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. Hebrews 9:12)
"What then, is the use of preaching?" Because wherever we find Salvation, the Call of God is not far away, and while there are some who deny there is such a thing as a "call" of God, and still others "sit in the seat of the scornful" by making a mockery of its reality,
It is nevertheless obvious such a call exists because God here is said to "call" us.
Now, the call of God is two-fold: one in eternity, and one in time. The call of God in eternity is usually referred to by the term "election": "according as He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love." – Ephesians 1:4
But, the Call of God in time may take the form of a "General" Call, or a "Specific" (i.e. "Particular") Call. So when in Matthew 22:11-14, Jesus teaches the Parable of the Marriage of the King’s son, He speaks of the "General Call" when he says,
And when the King came in to see the guests, He saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: and He saith unto him, ’Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment?’ and he was speechless. Then said the King to the servants, ’Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness;’ there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. For many are CALLED, BUT FEW ARE CHOSEN.
On the other hand, Peter clearly speaks of a "Specific" or "Particular Call" when he warns, "Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make YOUR CALLING and ELECTION sure.... " --II Peter 1:10
Both the General Call and the Specific Call is made when the Word of God is proclaimed by preaching: the difference being, that the Holy Spirit of God woos the Bride of Christ and seals her until the redemption of the purchased possession. --Ephesians 1:13,14. Though the Gospel goes out to all men without distinction, only "the lost sheep of the house of Israel" will receive it in time, and without exception: "My sheep" (alone) "hear My voice"- (i.e. recognize it as the voice of the Shepherd of their soul), "and I know them, and they follow Me," Christ declares. --John 10:27 Therefore, though "many are called...few are Chosen."
It is as if someone were to holler to a crowd on the athletic field, but should call no one by name. But in the Specific Call, it is as if the same person were to holler "Hey, Bill!" to the same crowd. Did not out Lord tell us in John 10:36, "He calleth His own sheep by name and leadeth them out?"
The Call of God is denominated as the "Heavenly Calling" by the writer of Hebrews (3:1), and is granted as the result of God’s election in Romans 8:28. It is EFFECTUAL in giving eyes "to see, ears to hear, and a heart to obey the Word of God. It is an Impartial Call as
Paul declares that in the case of Jacob and Esau, "the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works but of Him that calleth; it was said unto her ’the elder shall serve the younger.’"(Romans 9:11,12 --said to Rebecca)
The Apostle Paul terms this call an "Holy Calling" saying He "hath saved us, and called us with an Holy Calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began...."
As the elect of God are "saved" by the death of Christ, so the call of God is an "Holy Calling" because it is a call to Holiness. Reader, have you given diligence to make YOUR Calling and YOUR election SURE? Have you anchored it down? Are you conscious that YOU have truly been called and called by name?
CIRCULATION: Twice a month, THE ANGELUS is mailed to nearly 900 people, 500 of which are pastors and seminary professors. Would you like to help?
1.) July 1 of this year, our postage costs went up 25%; you could help by notifying us in advance of your address change.
2.) You could, help us by praying and asking our Lord to make it possible for us to purchase --
A. A MULTI-LITH 1250 printing press [We can obtain one for $650.)
B. An IBM SELECTRIC II TYPEWRITER [We can obtain one for about $850.)
Both of these items would greatly facilitate the printing of THE ANGELUS.
THE PILGRIM’S BIBLE CHURCH: Some have asked our whereabouts: we are still meeting in the chapel at the BON AIR RESIDENTIAL HOTEL.
ADDRESS CHANGE: Note, that our address is now changed to 2002 Virginia Avenue, Augusta, Ga. 30906
CONTRIBUTIONS: Any wishing to make a contribution in a financial way, may make their checks payable to THE PILGRIM’S BIBLE CHURCH, 2002 Virginia Avenue, Augusta, Georgia --30906
Designate that it is for THE ANGELUS.
August 26, 1349 –Thomas Bradwardine dies of the Black Death. It is under his teaching at Oxford that John Wycliffe has been awakened to the Gospel and brought to the Bible.