WWUTT

Jesus Calling by Sarah Young is one of the best-selling Christian books ever. The book contains daily devotionals written in the first-person voice of Jesus speaking to the reader. And this isn't merely creative writing. Young claims to have been given extra-biblical revelation from God. Jesus Calling was written out of a spirit of discontentment. Bible study and prayer were not enough for Young anymore—she wanted a different feeling. Young read an old book entitled God Calling (published in the 1930s), in which two anonymous women claimed to have received words of God. Following their example, Young sat in a quiet room with pen in hand and asked God to speak to her. Whatever she " sensed He was saying ," she wrote it down. These, she claimed, were the words of Jesus—who sounds strangely like an American evangelical woman peddling soft pick-me-ups for Lifeway rather than preaching convicting truth. Now, Young has said her words "were not inspired" ...

Romans 8:30 says, "And those whom He predestined He also called, and those whom He called He also justified, and those whom He justified He also glorified." This is commonly referred to as the golden chain of redemption, a summary of the ordo salutis, or the order of salvation, the way God brings about the salvation of His elect. Scripture expounds further on this beautiful work of God. First of all, God predestined those whom He foreknew, placing His affections on us before the foundation of the world. Second, God atoned for our sins by sending His Son to die on the cross, and He rose again from the dead. Third is the gospel call. Someone preaches to us about our sin and need for a Savior, and how Jesus is that Savior. Fourth is the inward call, or effectual calling. Many will hear the gospel, but only a few will believe it. This is, fifth, a work of the Holy Spirit called regeneration, when God puts His Spirit in us and causes us to obey His word. Sixth is convers...