In Depth:  Philip Eveson

Some missionaries will speak of their ‘call’ in terms of a Bible verse that specially spoke to them. It is not uncommon to hear of people receiving a ‘prophetic word’ that led them into some special Christian service. There are others who enter ‘full-time’ ministry because they ‘felt led’.

Reacting against what they would describe as mystical experiences and impressions, a significant number of Bible-believing leaders have sought to remove the mystique surrounding the ‘call’. For them it is the need that constitutes the call especially if there is a godly life and gifting that matches the need.

Justification is a legal pronouncement made by God in the present, prior to the day of judgement, declaring sinners to be not guilty.

And therefore sinners are acquitted, God pardoning all their sins and reckoning them to be righteous in his sight, on the basis of Christ, their representative and substitute, whose righteousness in life and death is put to their account when in self-despairing trust they look to him alone for salvation.