Irresistible Grace is the biblical doctrine that, along with the "U" (Unconditional Election) and the "L" (Limited Atonement), places God in His rightful place as sovereign, in the realms of the salvation of fallen mankind.
As the name implies, this teaching puts all of mankind in an impotent position in relation to the saving grace of God: it is not resistible.
- Many theologians, not liking the phraseology, prefer the name Effectual grace, because there are many examples from Scripture that the general grace of God can be "resisted," but the saving grace of God always, infallibly effects that which He bestows it upon, namely, the salvation of the individual.
In other words, at the appointed time, in the appointed place, by the appointed means, God. Will. Save. His. People. No questions, no what-ifs, no buts... The Almighty God, the one who formed all things by the word of His mouth, the sustainer of all things is in no way unable to save whom He will, when He will.
Why italicize unable? Because the common belief about how humans are saved makes God able to save only when the human to be saved allows God to do so.
Guess what the logical conclusion to that is...
The sovereignty of man, NOT God.
One of the most notable, quotable, memorable examples of God's irresistible, or effectual saving grace, is the account of Saul's conversion, in the book of Acts, chapter 9.
If you recall, at the end of Acts chapter 7, the name of Saul is introduced as being a witness to the stoning of Stephen. Continuing this account into chapter 8, we see in verses 1-3, how Saul felt about Stephen's execution and the Christian church in general:
"And Saul approved of his execution.
And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. Devout men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him. But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison."
So we have a bit of context for our reading of Saul's conversion. On to chapter 9 then. How is Saul described at the beginning of this account? Here, verses 1 and 2 tell us;
"But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem."
Does that sound like someone inclined toward Christ? Toward Christians?
No, the fact is that, as a pharisee, Saul believed that Christ was a blasphemer against God. He hated Jesus of Nazareth, and all who followed Him, as is obvious in the text. Let us continue with verse 3 on to verse 6.
"Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?" And he said, "Who are you, Lord?" And He said, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do."
From that moment forward, Saul, later to be named Paul, was a servant of Christ, whom he hated just moments before.
Now ask yourself...
Was Saul given a choice?
If he were to be given a choice, what would his choice have been?
If he could have resisted, from the text, isn't obvious that he would have?
The heart of the doctrine of irresistible, or effectual grace, lies in the doctrine of regeneration. It is the making new of the heart and soul of the believer that inclines the heart and the will of a human toward God, and as has been noted in a previous post, I think it was "Saved vs. Born Again," Jesus describes the regenerating power of the Holy Spirit in the likeness of the wind; in John 3:8, He says "The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit."
Other examples to be studied include Daniel chapter 4, where Nebuchadnezzar was made, by the power of God, to become as an animal, and was later restored and glorified God; the raising of Lazarus in John 11; and what we like to call the Golden Chain of Redemption, in Romans 8:29-30.
(Photo from RedeemingGod)
The omnipotence of the Almighty God can be seen all throughout Scripture.
Do we dare to believe that we are more powerful than God Himself?
Let us say with the restored king Nebuchadnezzar,
"He does according to His will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth;
and none can stay His hand or say to Him, "What have you done?"
For further reading from one much more able to deal with the subject in great detail than I, read professor John Murray's article on Irresistible Grace here: https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/irresistible-grace/
That's it for now!
Next up, the final entry in the Doctrines of Grace series, Perseverance of the Saints!
I'll get to it asap.
Time is scarce these days with college assignments, but it'll happen, God willing.
Until Next Time...
Press on!
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