Deep Dive into Institutes of the Christian Religion by John Calvin - Election Is Confirmed by God's Call; Moreover, the Wicked Bring upon Themselves the Just Destruction to Which They Are Destined

Divine election is the hidden, eternal cause of salvation, a sovereign decree intended to secure salvation and immortality for the elect. The ultimate purpose of this plan is to showcase God’s glory, demonstrating His free mercy toward the chosen and His severity toward the reprobate, who are justly condemned. Election is based entirely on divine mercy and precedes all human works, including faith.

This hidden election is externally manifested through God’s call, which serves as its "attestation." There are two kinds of call. The general call is the outward preaching of the Word, through which God invites all indiscriminately. However, since this message is shared with the wicked, for whom it becomes a "savor of death" leading to severer condemnation, the general call is not a full proof of election. The special or inward call is the effectual work of the Holy Spirit, granting inward illumination to the elect alone, effectively teaching them and leading them to faith.

Assurance of this eternal election is not found by attempting to penetrate the divine secret, which is likened to a bottomless whirlpool, but rather by clinging to the sure attestation of the call and the resulting faith. Faith is the confirmation for the individual, as it is the very work produced by election. Christ is the "mirror" wherein believers must contemplate their election, as those adopted by God are chosen only in Him.

The certainty of election is sealed internally by the Holy Spirit, known as the Spirit of adoption, who acts as the guarantee of the inheritance to come. This Spirit establishes and seals the assurance of adoption in the hearts of believers, ensuring that those who truly cleave to Christ will never perish.

Reformed Theologian GPT: https://chat.openai.com/g/g-XXwzX1gnv-reformed-theologian

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