Freedom Restored Through Effectual Calling (Chapter 9, Paragraph 4)

“When God converts a sinner, and translates him into the state of grace…”

The focus here is on conversion—God’s act of bringing a sinner from death to life (Eph. 2:4–5). “Translates” (transfers) echoes Colossians 1:13, where we’re delivered from darkness into the kingdom of Christ.

“…He freeth him from his natural bondage under sin…”

Regeneration breaks the chains of sin. The sinner is no longer a slave to sin (Rom. 6:6–7), but is set free to serve righteousness.

“…and by His grace alone enables him freely to will and to do that which is spiritually good…”

Here we see that grace doesn’t just invite, it enables. Philippians 2:13 affirms this: “for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.” This is monergism—God acts alone to change the heart and renew the will.

“…yet so as that he is not compelled to it by any necessity of nature…”

God does not force the will against itself. Rather, He changes the nature so that the will is freed to act in accordance with new desires. The once-dead sinner now gladly repents and believes.

“…but acts freely, being made willing by His grace.”

This is the beauty of effectual calling—it doesn’t violate the will, it liberates it. The heart of stone becomes a heart of flesh (Ezek. 36:26), and the sinner runs to Christ because he truly desires Him.

Application for the Believer:

Christian, rejoice! Your salvation is not rooted in your power but in God’s grace. You once loved sin and resisted God, but He made you willing. You didn’t come kicking and screaming—you came joyfully, because He changed your heart. This gives deep assurance: the One who gave you spiritual life will preserve and sanctify you. Live in the freedom Christ has secured for you—not as a slave to sin, but as a servant of righteousness. And as you share the gospel, trust not in persuasion alone, but in the power of God to raise the dead and make hearts willing.