As I have had the opportunity this year to study and absorb the Reformed Faith I realize more and more its richness and the glory it gives to the King of Glory, who is forever blessed. Amen.
One specific point was brought to my mind as I studied the Order of Salvation:
General Call - presentation of the Gospel of Christ
Effectual Call - God's Holy Spirit calling unto salvation the elect of God
Regeneration - The work of the Holy Spirit bringing life to a dead heart to enable the elect to answer the Effectual Call and come to Christ in repentance and faith.
Conversion - The work of the Holy Spirit in the mind of the regenerated to understand the Gospel and accept the work of Christ on Calvary as payment for his sins. To trust Christ alone for his salvation.
Justification - God's declaration of holiness for his elect who have responded in faith to Christ.
Adoption - Once His elect have responded to the Gospel in repentance and faith in Christ alone, God adopts His people and makes them His children with all legal rights as natural children.
Sanctification - The work of the Holy Spirit, and the work of the elect in making his life more and more in the image of Christ's example.
Glorification - When we step into glory we will immediately be free of all earthly incumbrances of sin.
The point that was made clear to me is that of all these points of salvation there is only one that happens outside of person of the elect. And that one point of salvation is JUSTIFICATION! Justification is a legal term that occurs in the heart of God alone. He declares that we are justified by the work of Christ on Calvary. He declares that we are no longer in debt to Him. He looks at us through the blood of Christ and sees us holy. We are still sinners, but granted regenerated sinners, that now have the ability to choose good over evil, but we do still choose evil many times. So, we are NOT MADE HOLY, we are DECLARED HOLY! And that is in the mind of God and God alone.
