FAQs Mondays: How Is Redemption Applied?

"FAQs Mondays" is an ongoing series of posts based on an adaptation of The Baptist Catechism.  You can view the original documents from which it is drawn: here, here, and here.  Previous posts include: "the Introduction", "What Is the Chief End of Man?", "Who Is God?", "What is the Word?", "What is God?",  "How Does God Work within His Creation?", "What Went Wrong?", "Was That the End of the Story?", and "What Is the Work of the Redeemer". Last week, we looked at his work as the Redeemer.  This week, we will explore the way in which redemption is applied.

How are we made partakers of the redemption purchased by Christ?

We are made partakers of the redemption purchased by Christ, by the effective application of it to us, by His Holy Spirit.  Paul explains, "He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior" (Titus 3:5-6).  Jesus tells us, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.  That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit" (John 3:5-6).

How does the Spirit apply to us the redemption purchased by Christ?

The Spirit applies to us the redemption purchased by Christ, by working faith in us, and thereby uniting us to Christ in our effectual calling.  Paul states, "For by grace have you been saved through faith.  And this not of your own doing; it is the gift of God" (Eph. 2:8).  Elsewhere, he states, "For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake" (Phil. 1:29).  Consider also: 1 John 5:1: Acts 16:14, 18:27; John 3:8, 6:64.

What is effectual calling?

Effectual calling is the work of God's Spirit, to convince us of our sin and misery, to enlighten our minds in the knowledge of Christ, to renew our wills, and thus persuade and enable us to embrace Jesus Christ, freely offered to us in the gospel.  The Lord spoke of this through Ezekiel, "And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you.  And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh" (Ezk. 36:26). Jesus explained, "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him.  And I will raise him up on the last day.  it is written in the Prophets, 'And they will be taught by God.'  Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me" (John 6:44-45).  Paul states, "[God] who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began" (2 Tim. 1:9).  Consider also: John 16:8-11; Acts 2:37, 26:18; Rom. 8:30; and 1 Cor. 1:24, 12:3.

Conclusion

Redemption is applied to us effectually by the Holy Spirit.  He makes us aware of our sin and need for Christ, renews our wills, and persuades us to freely accept the gospel.  Next week, we will explore the benefits of effectual calling.