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Daily Devotionals
Grace for Today
Matthew 22:14
‘Many are called’
Read Matthew 22:1-14
Here our Lord is talking about the general call of the gospel which goes out to all men every time the gospel is preached. There is an inward, divine call which is given by the Holy Spirit to all of God’s elect. This call of the Holy Spirit is always effectual and irresistible. By almighty, irresistible power the Spirit of God draws all of the elect to Christ. This call is given only to God’s elect, it always produces faith in Christ and it always results in salvation (Psalms 65:4; Romans 8:28-30; 1 Corinthians 1:21-24; 2 Timothy 1:9). There are many examples of this effectual irresistible call in the Scriptures (Matthew 4:18-22; Luke 19:5). But this is not the call mentioned in our text.
In this parable, our Lord is speaking of that call which goes forth in the earnest proclamation of the gospel. This call is universal and unconditional. We are ambassadors of Christ, sent to offer men terms of peace with God. The King himself has sent us to call his enemies to total, unconditional surrender. We have no authority to change his terms. It is surrender or die! This call is given by divine authority. Those who are truly sent of God speak to men in God’s stead! Because this call is given by divine authority, it is most urgent. God will not trifle with those who trifle with the gospel freely preached to perishing men by his servants (Proverbs 1:23-33). And this call which we issue to sinners in Christ’s name is most sincere and gracious. If you will hear his voice and harden not your heart, God will save you.
Someone may say, ‘But, if only God’s elect will be saved, why preach the gospel to every creature? Why call upon all men? Why invite all?’ We preach the gospel to all men, because God has commanded it. The ground of our responsibility is not the decree of God, but the command of God. God has chosen to save his elect by the foolishness of preaching. We have no way of knowing who God’s elect are until they believe, so we preach indiscriminately to all. When I heave preached the gospel to all men, I am free from the blood of all men, and those who believe not are left without excuse. If they had believed, they would have been saved.
