God’s irresistible grace, also referred to as the ‘effectual call’ in the Westminster Confession of Faith, is probably better known as “irresistible grace”. It represents the “I” in “TULIP” – a broader collection of doctrines ascribed to John Calvin (even though he existed long before the acronym).
This doctrine of irresistible grace or effectual calling of God teaches “God’s sovereign drawing of a sinner to salvation. The effectual call to a sinner so overwhelms his natural inclination to rebel that he willingly places faith in Jesus Christ.” (gotquestions.org) In other words, God’s supreme power and authority (e.g. His sovereignty) has such an affect on a sinner that any natural inclination he/she may have to resist is overcome by God’s saving grace.
That’s the doctrine of “God’s irresistible grace”, but what does Scripture say about it?
how Scripture answers "Is God’s grace irresistible?"
God is sovereign, but no passages declaring this truth1,2,3 necessitate or even connect it with His saving grace being irresistible. The closest to this is possibly Paul’s statement in Romans3, but properly contextualized4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13 it’s clear that Paul is not arguing for any kind of “irresistible grace”. If he were, he would be directly contradicting what he believed about himself13 and what he taught the Romans3 and the very clear warning to the Corinthians12.
We see this same reality in statements from Jesus4 where He speaks of the surety of God’s promises. God’s sovereignty (even His love3,8) and man’s reaction to Him are mutually exclusive4,5,6,7,11,13 and demonstrated in statements about the Holy Spirit10,14. Even the saved (or “elect”) can “refuse” and “reject” God5,6,7,8,13,14. In fact, Scripture elaborates on the severity and difficulty in returning if this occurs9.
our answer is built on the following scripture-blocks
please comment if you feel it’s not adequately or correctly presented
1
This psalm, possibly written post-exile, is a hymn about how God’s “love” and “faithfulness” (vs 1) warrant Israel’s (and possibly even Gentiles – vss 11, 13) worship. Specifically, God’s greatness and sovereignty is extolled above idols and their uselessness (vs 4-8).
No. This verse certainly speaks to God’s sovereignty but speaks only of it in terms that it simply “is”. It says nothing of any type of irresistible grace nor is the context applying his sovereignty in that way. If anything, the hymn is highlighting an opposite reality by encouraging the people to continue to trust in him.
2
A remarkable account (chapter 4) and actual words of a pagan, Gentile King Nebuchadnezzar. At the time he ruled Babylon it was considered the center of the world. This declaration from him is after he had been humbled by God – fulfilling a dream that he had (vs 19-27) and following his self-exaltation (vs 28-30).
No. Nebuchadnezzar, probably the greatest man living at that time, learned that his position was relative to God. While he extols God’s sovereignty, it has nothing to do with whether or not God’s grace is irresistible.
3
Directly on the heels of Paul’s oft-quoted (out of context) statements in
Lifting just these verses might leave one thinking that Paul is advocating for some sort “irresistibility” of God’s grace. However, just in the immediate context he could be making the point that God’s “team” is superior to all other “teams”. In other words, if you’re on God’s team (“the elect”), you are playing for the best and you will win if you just hold on.
!! scripture-block context extra important here !!
The passage alone would not answer the question “yes” or “no” definitively. However, its context lends itself more toward a “yes” than a “no”.
4
Finally, He concludes with the statement, “For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day” (vs 40). He continues to make the connection between “everyone who looks and believes” (vs 40) and God “drawing them” (vs 44) by interpreting the prophets’ statement (
This passage does not apply, since the very next verse defines what or how the Father “draws” someone (as described in the scripture-block).
!! scripture-block context extra important here !!
God’s grace as defined in this context as the sending of His son, and Jesus repeatedly speaks of those that would refuse this “grace” (e.g. vss 27, 36, 40, 51, 54, 64, 71), including some believers that did that very day (vs 66).
5
The very real possibility of failing “to obtain the grace of God” is the point of the entire chapter, indeed the entire book. Following these verses he tells them, “do not refuse him [God]” and the doom “if we reject him who warns from heaven.” (vs 25)
!! scripture-block context extra important here !!
The entire book of Hebrews is a plea for the Christian to remain faithful and not fall away.9,14
6
Pay attention! I,Paul, am saying that if you accept circumcision then Christ will no longer be of value to you. I’ll say it again, that every man that accepts circumcision must adhere to the Old Law. As a result, you would be separated from Christ and justified by the law. In other words, fallen away from grace.
Paul’s letter to the Galatians encouraging them to not be led away by a “different gospel” (1:6). He shares his personal testimony (1:10-2:10) and other events including his rebuke of Peter and Barnabas who had been swayed by Jewish Christians holding Mosaic traditions above the command of Christ (2:11-14).
Paul warns to those of a part of the body of Christ (not “severed”) that going back to the Old Law would mean they have rejected God’s grace.
7
Paul is transitioning into a long closing in an otherwise short letter to the church in Philippi. He has expressed his deep fondness for them (1:6-7) and encourages them throughout to have the “mind of Christ.” His encouragement here is to remain strong in their “partnership in the gospel” (1:5) so they continue to “shine as light in the world” (vs 15).
Paul’s earnest desire is for them to remain faithful. He notes that God is still sovereign (“his good pleasure”) and is working in them, but that’s true with the righteous and unrighteous. In fact, Paul speaks to this reality earlier in the letter regarding those that “preach Christ from envy and rivalry” (1:15-18).
8
We are lying if we say we are partnered with God when we walk in worldly ways and ignore the truth. However, if we walk in righteousness, as he is righteous, we have fellowhip with each other and the blood of Jesus washes away our sins.
The Apostle John’s opening in a letter written to Christians encouraging them to love each other (as God loves) and resist false teaching. His instruction appears to be to individual Christians (not a particular church).
If there is an irresistible grace from God, why is John warning these Christians to “walk in the light”? Indeed, “God is love” as explicitly states and develops later (1 John 4:8), yet in spite of this Christians can be unloving and so no longer “walk in the light.”
9
It’s impossible to restore to repentance those that have fallen away after coming to understand and experience salvation – having shared in the Holy Spirit and the goodness of God’s word and the power to come – since they crucify all over the Son of God, putting him to public shame to their own harm.
The writer is emphasizing the grave consequences for the saved (“elect”) to return to God if/when they “have fallen away”. The Hebrews writer is stating an opposite reality to an “irresistible grace” of God14.
10
God established a fellowship of the saints through Jesus and sealed it by the Holy Spirit, who was given in our hearts as a down payment.
Actually Paul’s third letter (13:1) to the church at Corinth, writing to them defending his apostleship and also rejoicing in their handling of the some of the issues/sin he dealt with in 1 Corinthians (his second letter).
God gives his Spirit to believers, not as a literal guarantee but as the Greek word (arrhabon) indicates: a pledge or down payment.
11
So, as we are working together with him [Jesus Christ], we appeal you to not receive the grace of God in vain. For he said, ‘In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.’ Listen! Right now is the favorable time, and now is the day of salvation.
Paul is literally imploring some at the church of Corinth to “be reconciled to God” (5:20) after reminding them that “we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.” (5:10)
Paul’s appeal infers that God’s grace could in fact be received “in vain”.
!! scripture-block context extra important here !!
12
Paul’s closing and final instructions to the Christians at Corinth. He is sternly warning those practicing sin to repent. Specifically, he is concerned he will find on his return to them those still engaging in jealousy, gossip, impurity, and sexual immorality among other things (vss 20-21).
Paul references the conditions by which Christ (e.g. Holy Spirit) lives in them – they must test themselves to make sure they are still “in the faith.”
13
So I [Paul] don’t run without purpose, like one beating air. Rather, I work to keep my body under control so that after all my preaching to others, I end up being unworthy of my calling.
Paul is admonishing the Corinthians throughout 8:1-11:1 to temper their “rights” and freedoms in Christ for the sake of others’ conscience. His main point through these chapters is that they should “endure anything rather than put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ” (vs 12). He wants that they all finish the “race” and win the “imperishable wreath” (vs 25).
Paul didn’t believe he was immune from being “disqualified” from God’s grace.
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our format and the anatomy of a question
the Bible study standard that we follow
- our top four obstacles to letting scripture interpret scripture
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