Articles
Irresistible Grace
Jesus said, "in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men" (Matthew 15:9).
The "I" of the TULIP doctrine of John Calvin is called Irresistible Grace. This false doctrine of man says, "Although the general outward call of the gospel can be, and often is, rejected, the special inward call of the Spirit never fails to result in the conversion of those to whom it is made. This special call is not made to all sinners but is issued to the elect only...For the grace which the Holy Spirit extends to the elect cannot be thwarted or refused, it never fails to bring them to true faith in Christ." (The Five points of Calvinism Defined, Defended, Documented, Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing 1975, pg.49).
This false doctrine of man is better known as the direct operation of the Holy Spirit. The idea is basically this: before a person is regenerated or born-again or saved, he can’t believe if he wants to. God predetermines each soul that will be saved, and the one chosen to be saved, cannot overcome God’s saving power upon them. This false doctrine of men makes each of us nothing more than robots – having no free-will at all.
The Bible teaches that the Holy Spirit works through the word of God to bring about salvation for anyone willing to hear and obey God’s word (1 Cor 2:10-13; 2 Pet 1:20-21). The “word of God” is the “sword of the Spirit” (Eph 6:17) to convert the sinner to Christ.
Paul said, “He called you through our gospel” (2 Thes.2:14). Jesus said, “It is written in the prophets, ‘And they shall all be taught of God.’ Every one who has heard and learned from the Father, comes to Me” (John 6:45). Again, Paul says, “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ” (Rom 10:17) and the gospel “is the power of God for salvation to every one who believes” (Rom 1:16).
Jesus taught that the wise man is the one “who hears these words of Mine, and acts upon them” (Mat 7:24) that will be saved. Again, Jesus says, the one that shall “enter the kingdom of heaven” is the one that “does the will of My Father” (Mat 7:21).
The “grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us…” (Tit 2:11-12). So, what are you waiting for - a special better felt than told experience that is not going to come? Or, are you convinced by hearing God’s word that if you believe and obey His word you can be saved today (Mark 16:15-16)? It’s your choice.
