IRRESISTABLE GRACE
The Fourth of the Five Points of Calvinism:  The “I” in T-U-L-I-P”

 

Irresistable Grace.  Here are three different ways in Scripture to describe it:
1.  “Made Alive”
2.  “Born Again”
3.  “Draws”

 

First, let us look at God’s Work in making us alive in Ephesians 2: 4-7:
“But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us,
even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),
and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,
so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.”

 

Second, let us look at God’s Work in making us born again by the Spirit in John 3 : 3-7:
“Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.’
Nicodemus said to Him, ‘How can a man be born when he is old?  He cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born, can he?’
Jesus answered, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.’
‘That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.’
‘Do not be amazed that I said to you, 'You must be born again ’.”

 

John 1: 12-13:  "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, who were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God."

 

I Peter 1: 3: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who  according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

 

Third, let us look at God’s Work in drawing us to Christ in John 6:  44:
"No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day.”

 

And, this is an effectual drawing as shown by John 6: 37 and 39:
"All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out."

 

"And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day.”

 

No one can come to Christ unless it has been granted to him or her by God:
“And He was saying, "For this reason I have said to you, that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted him from the Father." John 6: 65.

 

Even Faith and Repentance are part of Irresistable Grace:
Ephesians 2: 8-9: “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.”   (Emphasis added by bold, italic underline)

 

Philippians 1: 29:  “For to you it has been granted for Christ's sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake,”

 

Acts 5: 31: “He is the one whom God exalted to His right hand as a Prince and a Savior, to grant repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.”

 

Acts 11: 18: “When they heard this, they quieted down and glorified God, saying, "Well then, God has granted to the Gentiles also the repentance that leads to life."

 

Acts 13:  48: “When the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord;  and as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed.”
Acts 16: 14: “And a certain woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple fabrics, a worshiper of God, was listening; and the Lord opened her heart to respond to the things spoken by Paul.”

 

Acts 18: 27: “And when he wanted to go across to Achaia, the brethren encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to welcome him;  and when he had arrived, he greatly helped those who had believed through grace,”

 

2 Timothy 2: 25-26: “with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition,  if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.”

 

Why do we need "Irresistable Grace"? 
We needed irresistable grace, because we were dead in our sins with no understanding nor inclination to seek God.  We were useless.

 

Ephesians 2: 1: “And you were dead in your trespasses and sins,”

 

Romans 3:10 - 13 tells us:
“as it is written,
"THERE IS NONE RIGHTEOUS, NOT EVEN ONE;
THERE IS NONE WHO UNDERSTANDS,
THERE IS NONE WHO SEEKS FOR GOD;
ALL HAVE TURNED ASIDE, TOGETHER THEY HAVE BECOME USELESS;
THERE IS NONE WHO DOES GOOD,
THERE IS NOT EVEN ONE."

 

Our unsaved condition was so bad (hostile to God, could not please God, could not understand the things of God, dead, and even in bondage to Satan and sin) that our only chance for salvation was not "free will", but only Irresistable Grace.

 

Very truly yours,
Bill Hornbeck