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.
Answer built on scripture-blocks below
1
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
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
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
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
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’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
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
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 gives his Spirit to believers, not as a literal guarantee but as the Greek word (arrhabon) indicates: a pledge or down payment.
11
Paul’s appeal infers that God’s grace could in fact be received “in vain”.
!! scripture-block context extra important here !!
12
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
Paul didn’t believe he was immune from being “disqualified” from God’s grace.
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