Election and calling are vital components of God’s plan of salvation. Election refers to God’s sovereign choice of individuals to be saved. This doctrine is evident in passages such as Romans 8:28-30 and Ephesians 1:4-5, which speak of God’s predestined plan for believers. God’s election is not based on human merit but on His sovereign will and purpose.
Calling is the means by which God summons individuals to salvation. It involves both an external call, which is the proclamation of the gospel, and an internal call, which is the work of the Holy Spirit in drawing individuals to Christ. The internal call is effective, meaning that it inevitably leads to salvation for those who are chosen.
The concept of the “effectual calling” is central to understanding how God applies salvation to individuals. It emphasizes the Holy Spirit’s role in illuminating the mind, regenerating the heart, and enabling a person to respond to the gospel in faith and repentance. This effectual call overcomes human resistance and brings about a willing submission to Christ.
Biblical theology presents election and calling as interconnected aspects of God’s saving work. Election is God’s eternal plan, while calling is the outworking of that plan in time. While the doctrine of election highlights God’s sovereignty, the doctrine of calling emphasizes His gracious invitation to all people to come to Him for salvation. The Bible consistently affirms both God’s sovereign choice and human responsibility in the salvation process. Understanding election and calling helps believers appreciate the depth of God’s love and the certainty of their salvation, as it is rooted in God’s eternal purpose.