Effectual Calling

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Luke 19:1-10

And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho.…

1. Now, first, effectual calling is A VERY GRACIOUS TRUTH. You may guess this from the fact that Zaccheus was a character whom we should suppose the last to be saved. He belonged to a bad city — Jericho — a city which had been cursed, and no one would suspect that any one would come out of Jericho to be saved. Ah! my brethren, it matters not where you come from: you may come from one of the dirtiest streets, one of the worst back slums in London, but if effectual grace call you, it is an effectual call, which knoweth no distinction of place. But, my brethren, grace knows no distinction; it is no respecter of persons, but God calleth whom He wills, and He called this worst of publicans, in the worst of cities, from the worst of trades. Ah! many of you have climbed up the tree of your own good works, and perched yourselves in the branches of your holy actions, and are trusting in the free will of the poor creature, or resting in some worldly maxim; nevertheless, Christ looks up even to proud sinners, and calls them down.

2. Next it was a personal call.

3. It is a hastening call — "Zaccheus, make haste." God's grace always comes with despatch; and if thou art drawn by God, thou wilt run after God, and not be talking about delays.

4. Next, it is a humbling call. "Zaccheus, make haste and come down." God always humbles a sinner. Oh, thou that dwellest with the eagle on the craggy rock, thou shalt come down from thy elevation; thou shalt fall by grace, or thou shalt fall with a vengeance, one day. He "hath cast down the mighty from their seat, and hath exalted the humble and meek."

5. Next, it is an affectionate call. "To-day I must abide in thy house."

6. Again, it was not only an affectionate call, but it was an abiding call. "To-day I must abide at thy house." When Christ speaks, He does not say, "Make haste, Zaccheus, and come down, for I am just coming to look in"; but "I must abide in thy house; I am coming to sit down to eat and drink with thee; I am coming to have a meal with thee."

7. It was also a necessary call. "I must abide." It is necessary that the child of God should be saved. I don't suppose it; I know it for a certainty. If God says "I must," there is no standing against it. Let Him say "must," and it must be.

8. And, now, lastly, this call was an effectual one, for we see the fruits it brought forth. Open was Zaccheus's door; spread was his table; generous was his heart; washed were his hands; unburdened was his conscience; joyful was his soul. Sinner, we shall know whether God calls you by this: if He calls, it will be an effectual call — not a call which you hear, and then forget, but one which produces good works.

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