THE GOSPEL AND SCOPE OF HIS GRACE

(1)

A. Having been transgressed the covenant of works by sin and having been useless to give life back, it pleased God give the promise of Christ, the seed of the woman, as the means of calling the elect, and begetting in them faith and repentance. In this promise, the gospel in its substance was revealed, and therefore is effective to bring sinners to conversion and salvation: Gen. 3:15 with Eph 2: 12; Gal. 4: 4; I 11:13; Lk. 2: 25.38; 23:51; Ro. 4: 13-16; Gal. 3: 15-22.
(2)
A. This promise of Christ, and salvation by him, is revealed only by the Word of God: Acts. 4:12; Ro. 10: 13-15.
B. Neither the works of creation or providence, with the light of nature, reveal Christ or grace that is through him, not generally or evening: Psalm 19; Ro. 1: 18-23.
C. Equal nor men who do not have a revelation of him by the promise of the gospel can get a saving faith or repentance: Ro. 2: 12a; Mt. 28: 18-20; Lk. 24: 46.47 Ac. 17: 29,30; Ro. 3: 9-20.
(3)
A. The revelation of the gospel to sinners, made ​​in different times and different places, with the addition of promises and precepts for the obedience it requires nations and people to whom it is granted only by the sovereign will and pleasure God: Mt. 11:20.
B. No appropriating under a promise not obtained by good use of the natural abilities of men, or under common light received apart from him, which no one ever did or can do: Ro. 3: 10-12; 8:. 7.8 Therefore, in all ages, the preaching of the gospel has been granted to persons and nations, their extension or restriction, with great variety, according to the counsel of the will of God.
(4)
A. Although the Gospel is the only outward means of revealing Christ and saving grace, and is, as such, completely sufficient for this purpose: Ro. 1: 16,17.
B. For men who are dead in trespasses may be born again, be quickened or regenerated, it is also necessary, in every soul, an effective and unsurpassed work of the Holy Spirit, in order to produce in them a new spiritual life ; without it, no other medium can make your conversion to God: Jun . 6:44; 1 Cor 1: 22-24; 2:14; 2 Corinthians 4: 4, 6.

WHAT IS THE MESSAGE OF THE GOSPEL? HOW becomes effective?

BIBLICAL EXPLANATION AND BASES
When Paul talks about how God brings salvation to our lives, he says: "Those whom he predestined he also called; to which he called he also justified; and whom He justified, He also glorified "(Rom 8: 30). Here Paul tells us a definite order in which we are the blessings of salvation.
Although long ago, before the creation of the world, God will "predestined" to be his children and to be transformed according to the image of His Son, Paul points out the fact that at the time of the realization of its purpose in our lives God would "call" (here in this context, is God the Father who is clearly in sight).
Then Paul immediately mentions justification and glorification, showing that these come after the call.Paul tells us that there is a definite order in El Salvador purpose of God (although it is not mentioned here every aspect of our salvation). So we begin our study of the different parts of our salvation experience with the subject of appeal.
When Paul says, "Those whom he predestined he also called; to which he called he also justified "(Rom 8:30), is indicating that this appeal is an act of God. It is specifically an act of God the Father, because he is the one who predestines people to "be conformed to the image of His Son" (Rom 8: 29).
Other verses describe more fully what this call. When God calls people in this powerful form, he calls them "out of darkness into marvelous light" (1 Peter 2: 9); calls to "fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ" (1 Cor 1: 9; Acts 2: 39) and "his kingdom and glory" (1 Thessalonians 2: 12; 1st P 5:10; 2nd P 1: 3) .
The people God has called are "the called of Jesus Christ" (Rom 1: 6, KJV 1960). They have been "called to be saints" (Rom 1: 7; 1st Corinthians 1: 2) and have entered into a kingdom of peace (1st Cor 7: 15; Col 3: 15), freedom (Gal 5:13), hope (Eph 1:18; 4: 4.), holiness (1st Thessalonians 4: 7), patient suffering (1st Peter 2: 20-21; 3: 9), and eternal life (1st T. 6: 12).
These verses indicate that this is not a simple human appeal powerless. This call is rather a kind of "call" from the King of the universe and has so much power that you can get the answer you are asking in the hearts of people. It is an act of God that guarantees an answer, because Paul in Romans 8:30 specifies that those who were "called" were also "justified".
This appeal has the ability to get us out of the kingdom of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of God so that we can be united in full communion with him: "God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord" (1 Ca 1: 9).
We often refer to this powerful act of God as effectual calling, to distinguish it from the general invitation of the gospel is for all people and that some people reject. This is not to say that human proclamation of the gospel does not participate. In fact, the effectual call of God comes through human preaching of the gospel, because Paul says, "For this reason God called you by our gospel, so that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ" (2 Thes 2 : 14).
Of course, there are many who hear the general call of the gospel message and do not respond. But in many cases the call of the gospel is so effectively through the work of the Holy Spirit in the hearts of people that these respond, and we can say they have received an "effectual calling":
We can define the effectual call as follows: Effectual calling is an act of God the Father, through the human proclamation of the gospel, which invites people to come to him so that they respond in saving faith .
It is important not to give the impression that people will be saved by the power of this call other than a voluntary response from them the gospel of personal faith and repentance are necessary for conversion).While it is true that the effectual call wakes up and generates a response in us, we must always insist that this answer has to be a spontaneous, voluntary response in which the individual person puts his trust in Christ.
That is why prayer is so important for effective evangelization. Unless God works in the hearts of people to make effective the proclamation of the gospel, there will be a genuine saving response. Jesus said, "No one can come to me unless the Father draws him who sent me, and I will raise him up at the last day" (Jn 6: 44).
An example of effective gospel call we see in Paul's first visit to Philippi. While Lydia heard the gospel message "the Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul's message" (Acts 16: 14).
Unlike the effectual call, which is entirely an act of God, we can talk in general the call of the gospel which comes through human communication. This call of the gospel is offered to all people, even those who do not accept it. Sometimes we refer to this call of the gospel and the external call or the general call.On the contrary, the effectual call of God is the one that actually generates a spontaneous response in the person who hears it is sometimes called internal call.
The call of the gospel is general and external and often rejected, while the appeal is particularly effective internal and is always effective. However, this does not diminish the importance of the call of the gospel, because it is the means that God has established through which the effectual call will come. Without the call of the gospel, no one could respond and be saved.
"How can they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? "(Rom 10:14). It is therefore important that we understand exactly what is the call of the gospel.

ELEMENTS OF APPEAL OF THE GOSPEL

In human preaching of the gospel three important elements must appear:
AN EXPLANATION OF THE FACTS CONCERNING SALVATION.
Everyone who comes to Christ for salvation must have at least a basic understanding of who Christ is and how Salvation meets our needs. Therefore, an explanation of the facts concerning salvation must include at least the following:
1. All human beings are sinners (Romans 3: 23).
2. The wages of sin is death (Romans 6: 23).
3. Jesus died to pay the penalty for our sins (Romans 5: 8)
But understanding these facts and even agree that they are true is not enough for the person to be saved.There must be an invitation for a response from the individual in order to repent of their sins and trust in Christ personally.
AN INVITATION TO RESPOND TO CHRIST personally in repentance and faith.
When the New Testament speaks of people who attain salvation does in terms of a personal response to an invitation from Christ himself.
This invitation is beautifully expressed, for example, in the words of Jesus:
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.For my yoke is easy and my burden is light (Mt 11: 28-30).
It is important to make it clear that these are not just words spoken long ago by a religious leader of the past. It should encourage each listener who is not a Christian who hears these words to take those words as the words of Jesus Christ that he is speaking at that moment, and it is doing individually. Jesus Christ is a Savior who is now alive in heaven, and every person who is not Christian should think that Jesus is speaking, and saying, "Come to me, all of you and I will give you rest" (Mt 11: 28).
This is a genuine personal invitation seeks a personal response of each listener.
John also talks about the need for a personal response when he says: "He came to what was his own, but his own received him not. But as many as received Him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God "
(John 1: 11-12). The emphasized need to "receive" Christ, John also points to the need for an individual response. Those who are inside a lukewarm church that do not realize their spiritual blindness the Lord Jesus again extended his invitation that requires a personal response: "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me "(Rev 3: 20).
Finally, only five verses throughout the Bible where it ends, there is another invitation from the Holy Spirit and the church to come to Christ: "The Spirit and the bride say," Come! "; and who hears say, "Come!"Whoever is thirsty, let him come; And whosoever will, let him take the water of life "(Rev 22: 17).
But what is involved in the response to come to Christ? Although this will be explained more fully in chapter 35, it is sufficient for us to note here that if we come to Christ and trust Him to save us from our sins, we can not continue to cling to sin, but we must be willing to renounce sin in sincere repentance.
In some instances in Scripture mentioned together repentance and faith when they are referring to the initial conversion of an individual. (Paul said he spent his time "A Greek Jews and urging them have become God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ" Acts 20: 21). But sometimes just talking about repentance of sins and is assumed saving faith as accompanist factor (in his name repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached to all nations [Lk 24: 47; Acts 2: 37 -38; 3: 19; 5: 31; 17: 30; Ro 2: 4; 2nd Co 7:10]).
Therefore any genuine proclamation of the gospel must include an invitation to make the conscious decision to forgo personal sins and turn to Christ in faith for forgiveness for sins. If any of them neglected the need to repent of sins or the need to trust in Christ as to forgiveness, there is a true and complete proclamation of the gospel.
But what they are promised to those who come to Christ? This is the third element of the call of the gospel.
A PROMISE OF FORGIVENESS AND ETERNAL LIFE.
Though the words personal invitation that Christ spoke contain a promise of rest and power to become children of God, and participation in the water of life, it is good to make it clear what Jesus promises to those who come to him in repentance and faith.
The first thing we found promised in the gospel message is the promise of forgiveness of sins and eternal life with God: "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life "Gn 3: 16). And in preaching the gospel Peter ago, he says: "Therefore, to be erased their sins, repent and turn to God" (Acts 3: 19; 2: 38).
Along with the promise of forgiveness and eternal life is the assurance that Christ will accept all who come to him in repentance and sincere faith seeking salvation: "He who comes to me will never drive away" Gen. 6: 37).

THE IMPORTANCE OF CALLING THE GOSPEL

The doctrine of call of the gospel is important because if there was no call of the gospel that no one could be saved: "How shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard?" (Rom 10: 14).
The call of the gospel is also important because through him God speaks to us in the fullness of our humanity. He does not save us "automatically" without seeking a response of our whole being. Rather, it directs the call of the gospel to our intellect, our emotions and our will.
Speak to our intellect explaining the facts of salvation in His Word.
Speaks to our emotions approaching a heartfelt personal invitation to respond. Speak to our will asking us to hear his invitation and voluntarily and spontaneously respond in repentance and faith, we decide us to turn from our sin and receive Christ as Savior and rest our hearts on it for salvation.

Efficacious Grace.

Two university students attend a Bible study. One says, "It's magnificent"; the other says, "Nonsense."Two strange people hear a clear sermon about "I am the way, the truth and the life; No one comes to the Father except through me. "You think, the other not. Two boys, twins made grow in the same house with the same religious instruction. One loves God and hates the other. Their names are Jacob and Esau.
Why? Why two people under exactly the same circumstances react in opposite ways? Why a person believes and the other rejects Christ? This is the problem that examines this study.
The biblical answer is efficacious grace, is the sole cause of these different reactions.

I. WHAT IS GRACE EFFICIENT?

A. GRACE.
Grace is unmerited favor . That is unmerited favor and contrasting what if we deserve serious death by sin, when we understand that we value and price takes what God gives us against what if we deserve.Some college student is busier in causing problems in their education. Perturbs the conference a distinguished visiting professor, and thus deprives the speaker's right to speak and students the right to hear. Even punches in the face of a paralyzed man who insists on going to class.
In the company of a gang burning the university library, cut the hoses of firefighters, screaming obscenities at police and even killed a classmate, group leader who is opposed. This murderer is convicted in court of justice for these crimes and sentenced to death. While in prison, still he is talking to hatred and revenge against all those who produce in peace, order and freedom. But the appellate court grants forgiveness and even makes him deliver ten thousand US dollars per year annuity. This is grace: unmerited favor.
Similarly, each of us has committed more heinous crimes and those against God, and we deserve a much greater punishment. God did good to mankind. But we voluntarily and freely, we rebel against him. We pray that away from sin and serve him, and we respond ridiculing. This is our nature to hate God with a feeling of absolute revenge, and hate everyone else. Our only goal is to always be the first and trample upon God. We deserve eternal hellfire.
In such a terrible situation like this, being still unrepentant sinners, God loves some, sends Jesus to die for them and then sends the Holy Spirit to make them accept the sacrifice that Christ has done for them. As a culmination, command these spiritual bastards (Heb. 12.8) they become sons and heirs of untold riches.That's unmerited favor. This is grace. (And it is available to those who want yodos. If anyone wants it, you can rely on and accept Christ right now. You can ask Christ, the God man, to save him from sin.)
B. EFFICIENT
EFFICIENT means that when God has chosen some to be saved and when you send your Holy Spirit so that hateful beings transform lovers beings, no one can resist. It irresistible. It does what it intends to do.
But do not misunderstand the word effective or compelling. Some may give them the idea that means someone has to do what not to do. Of a high mountain can come off an avalanche of snow, with irresistible force, burying the villager who obviously does not want to die. The communist may force the preacher to abandon the pulpit and irresistibly put in jail. Any adult can kidnap a child of three years without it can offer resistance.
Some see the irresistible grace in this regard. They imagine God as forcing people to do what they do not want to do, like dragging them to heaven despite their resistance and kicking as it were against their will.See God as one who compels, coerces and violent man's will.
But this is not the meaning of the word irresistible when we talk of efficacious grace; and it produces misunderstandings, then it would have to choose another word. For example Irresistible, effective, insuperable, or true. What irresistible grace means that God sends his Holy Spirit to act in the lives of people so that ultimately and some ways are changed to be bad to be good. It means that the Holy Spirit achieved without doubt, no buts, no no, that those whom God has chosen from eternity and for whom Christ has died, believe in Jesus.
But God does this in a way that always pleases the man. As we said before, man is always free. It does exactly what you want to do. This does not mean that you have free will, that is, the ability to choose good and evil alike. It does not have this kind of freedom. Because God hates, he loves sin, and sin freely and voluntarily without any external obligation. It can never choose good, God and Christ, because it is subject to the slavery of the devil and their own sinful desires. It has no real freedom.
By nature man is like a person who likes to eat rotten, wormy apples, taken from the dump, or who likes to sit in the mud to eat dirt. God can change the nature of that person so that you enjoy filet mignon and artichokes, instead of the earth, and crave eating a bowl of fresh fruit, instead of a rotten apple.

Similarly, God changes the heart of man from bad to good. By nature, man likes to sin and likes everything that produce unhappiness and eternal punishment. By irresistible grace God leaves the heart unchanged and thus drags man to heaven against their will. No, radically transform its nature, so that now this man is truly hurts sin and love God. Now, with his changed heart, he loathes what used to do. Christ is now for him the most exalted. Christianity becomes attractive. Free and anxious way seeks God.