Some theologians speak of special calls and general calls, sort of like a personal e-mail and a network wide broadcast e-mail. The gospel isn't a special call to faith, but a commandment "to believe" given to all that hear it. However the gospel is viewed by some as a general call to all humanity (being a commandment) yet a special call to all that receive it (or more properly an effective call.) Calling someone is no guarantee that they will respond, but not responding to the king is not an option.
Don’t worry about some theologians speaking of special or general calls, and sort of like a personal email. Our task is to prove self. The Gospel
is a special call and commandment to the world “to believe” but according to Romans 3, who will believe? NONE, ZERO, NADA!
The doctrine of Salvation is very complex. Some would say all it takes to become saved is “accept” or “believe” in the Lord Jesus. We are not called to accept but to believe, but man in his own volition will NOT (John 3:19-20) unless, God intervenes in his life. This concept of salvation can be seen in the beautiful illustration of salvation in the Raising of Lazarus.
After praying to the Father at the tomb, Jesus cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth!” Can Lazarus hear the command to come forth? No! Why not? Because he was dead and there was no life in him. In fact, Scripture drives home the point he was dead four days and stinketh.
But he did come forth, what had to have happened?
Jesus had to go into the tomb and give Lazarus life! Exactly the same way He saves His “elect,” “chosen,” “church (invisible),” by giving them
eternal life. “Many are called but few are chosen.” So sad for those who do not believe in OSAS. Sorry, that’s another thread. Couldn’t resist though.
As Lazarus was physically dead, physically deaf to the command to come forth, and physically blind: so are we spiritually dead in our sins, spiritually dull in hearing the true Gospel, and spiritually blind to the truths of the Bible! There are more but you get the gist.
So, don’t worry about some theologians which speak of special calls and general calls, but rather prove yourself.
To God Be The Glory