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

Because they are in total agreement. Where do you find an inconsistency?

I find your phraseology quite confusing. Man doesn't make ANYTHING effectual; God does. And God is the One who also has determined and provided the means by which one is justified, i.e., the preaching/reading of the Word, repentance and faith. Again, God doesn't repent for anyone and nor is it God Who believes on Christ. Man has a specific part, albeit due to the Spirit's regeneration and enabling, in apprehending justification. Likewise, faith is the means or vehicle which apprends Christ. Faith has no inherent value in and of itself. It is Christ alone Who saves and not the actual faith that embraces Him. Yet, without faith exercised by the man, there is no salvation to be had.

Romans 4:3 (KJV) "For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness." (cf. Gal 3:26; Jam 2:23)

What do you mean by "cooperation"? IF by that you mean that man contributes something of his own which works with the working of the Holy Spirit, then absolutely not. Salvation is of the Lord. However, as I have maintained so many times in responses to you since you arrived here, man has a definite and necessary part in the apprehending of justification, i.e., repentance and faith, both of which are the fruit of the Spirit's regeneration. Those who have been regenerated will infallibly repent and believe. It cannot be otherwise for it is the natural result of that regeneration and the justification was eternal foreordained that the elect should obtain it.

I have repeated said that the Holy Spirit works with the instrumental means of the Word of God. I have never stated a logical or temporal order of that working. One cannot hear unless one is given ears to hear. But one is not given ears to hear, normally, apart from the preaching/reading of the Word. (Rom 1:16; 10:12-17)

In His Grace,