Effectual Call (part 2)

2. The Solution: But God Brings the Dead to Life [Eph. 2:4-6]

Here are 2 words I love in the bible (and you should do) “But God”. This changes everything. Yes we were dead, yes we followed Satan, yes we were driven by our passions and desires, yes we were children of wrath… “But God”. In a state of helplessness, the solution wasn’t realising that “God helps those who help themselves”. The solution wasn’t crying loud, running around and cutting ourselves like the prophets of Baal. Vv.4-6 “But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus” The solution is God ‘undeading’ us, bringing us to life. 

The natural man cannot understand the things of God because they’re spiritually discerned. We are dead, we can’t grasp anything on our own. 2 Cor. 4:4–6 [4] In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. [5] For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. [6] For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 

Though dead and blind, when the gospel is proclaimed, God says “Let light shine out of darkness” like he did in Gen. 1 and thus creates something new. The Spirit takes the Word and like a hammer strikes the stony heart, pounding it until it becomes a heart of flesh with life in it.

Like Lazarus lying in the tomb for 4 days. Dead, smelly and decomposing. What did it take for him to live again? What did he do? He did nothing. Jesus did everything. He came, commanded for the stone to be rolled away and then called “Lazarus, come out” and guess what, Lazarus came out. He knew Lazarus by name, called him by name and Lazarus came out alive. That’s how every sinner is made alive; Jesus calls us and we hear his voice and come out of the tomb.

Like prophet Ezekiel before the valley of dry bones, when the Word is proclaimed, the Spirit makes the word come alive in us. Soon the dry bones hear and flesh forms on them and sinews and soon, there’s a huge army in place of dry bones.

Friends, “But God”. But how does God do it? It’s not because of what we have done. It’s not because we are cooperative. It’s because God “ being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us…” It’s out of his mercy. He is a God whose very nature is mercy. His mercy came running to us. Mercy is his currency. It’s so abundant, lavish, extravagant that it can never run out. Although our sins be many, his mercy is more. He has loved us with a great love. Being rich in mercy and because of his great love, God gathers our sins, puts them in a heavy metallic drum, ties them on a huge stone and casts them to the sea. They sink to the deepest depths, never to be found. And that is the only thing that can overcome a wretched sinner like you & I. Do you see what God has done for you, friend? Oh, what grace this is! It humbles me!

3. The Purpose: So they can Live for God’s Glory [Eph. 2:7-10]

We’ve been reminded that it’s by grace we’ve been saved. And this is not our own doing, it’s God’s gift. It’s not a result of works. So, we cannot boast about anything. Friend, understanding God’s call of salvation in our lives puts us in our right place. There’s nothing to boast about. You have no impressive CV. Anyone who’s proud hasn’t grasped what it means to be saved.

We have been saved not by good works but for good works. There is a way we are to live, there are things we are to do. We are to be a light shining in the darkness. We are to live to proclaim the excellencies of him who called us out of darkness into his marvellous light. We are to be those who stand before our master and do his bidding.

Conclusion:

Paul urges us in Eph. 4:1 “I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called”. Friend, if you are really a Christian, chosen by God, called by God, justified and glorified, then live for him; walk in a manner worthy of the calling you have received. Being a Christian, you have a new nature, so live in the newness of life you have received from Christ. So, let me ask you, how is your life a reflection of who you are in Christ? Is there evidence of God’s grace in your life or are you like that stone that is placed in water, it becomes wet but still, it’s a stone. Being a Christian is like that clay that has been got from the riverbank which the potter works on to create a beautiful pot. It’s no longer just clay, it’s a beautiful vessel fit for the master’s use.

Understanding how we’ve been saved makes us;

• See the seriousness of sin and daily run to the cross. Are you doing this?
• Humble at the work that God has done in us. Is humility your posture?
• Be assured that he who began a good work in us will bring it to completion. How confident are you about the salvation you have received?
• Reach out to others in mercy, pleading with God to open their blind eyes. How concerned are you about those who are not saved?