The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum Justification and the Effectual Call

Perhaps the confusion that "I" am having is the way you are phrasing things? <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

Let me try and lay this out again for you:

• The Holy Spirit works in conjunction with the written Word of God. The Word has no inherent "power" to effect anything, in and of itself. It is a means of grace, much the same as faith is the means by which a sinner apprehends justification; i.e., the faith isn't effectual in an of itself. Justification is made effectual by God when He applies the benefits of Christ's atonement to the one who believes.
• The Holy Spirit regenerates the soul, creating within it a new nature/disposition. This new nature contrasts with the old nature in that it is inclined to know, feel and will that which is good, to hate sin, love Christ and to render obedience out of thankfulness. The elements of repentance and faith are "natural" expressions; the fruit of regeneration, thus they are gifts of God and not something which the individual produces within himself nor by his own unregenerate will. For that would be impossible to do since the old nature is "dead" spiritually and at enmity with God and opposed to all that is good.

No, the Word of God is indeed the "instrumental means" THROUGH WHICH the Holy Spirit works regeneration. A new nature (regeneration) would be ineffectual for the obtaining of justification/salvation if there was not "directions" (aka: propositional truth from God) by which the person would respond TO. In other words, if a person had a new nature but knew nothing of his/her sinful condition, the guiltiness which was imputed, the offer of salvation in Christ, reconciliation with God, etc., etc., then nothing further would nor could occur. It would be like replacing a blown engine in your car with a new one but there was no knowledge of which direction to go. There would be a "desire" to travel but no destination. Thus the necessity of BOTH regeneration which enables one to gain salvation AND the Word of God; i.e., the knowledge of how it is apprehended.

In His Grace,