The Bible speaks about the call of the gospel that goes out to everyone—what we call the outward call or the external call. Not everyone who hears this call is saved. We also speak of the inward call, the call of God in the person, in the heart, which is a work of God the Holy Spirit, and which call is effectual. In this call, the Holy Spirit opens the hearts of believers, working within to bring about the purpose of God. It is this call Paul has in view in Romans 8:28. All of the elect receive this inward call,
