God’s outward call says, “Come, believe, and find rest in Christ!”

God’s inward call brings a subconscious change of heart by the Holy Spirit. God opens the eyes in a person to assuredly receive the word.

This distinction doesn’t solve the mystery, but it further describes it.

God genuinely offers, beckons, beseeches through his word:

“Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.”
– 2 Corinthians 5:20

Yet there is also a kind of “drawing” that always results in coming to the Son:

“No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day… This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father.”
– John 6:44,65

Hence we pray, “Lord, open their eyes!” And we preach, “Behold what God has revealed!”