Our next item that is up for dismantling is the false doctrine of Irresistible Grace. This, like every other element of Calvinism, is dependent upon the doctrine of Total Hereditary Depravity, which we have dismantled previously. I still want to present the case on why the doctrine of Irresistible Grace does not stand up to the test of the Scriptures.
What Is the Doctrine of Irresistible Grace?
The Orthodox Presbyterian Confession of faith states, "This effectual call is of God’s free and special grace alone, not from anything at all foreseen in man, who is altogether passive therein, until, being quickened and renewed by the Holy Spirit, he is thereby enabled to answer this call, and to embrace the grace offered and conveyed in it."
What is the Logical Conclusion of this Doctrine?
The advocates of the doctrine of Irresistible grace contend that because man is so depraved that he cannot do anything good whatsoever, he must be kidnapped and forced into salvation with God. When we look at this at face value, we must assume three things. First, those who are going to be saved will be saved absent of any will of man. Second, all who are lost will be lost absent any will of man. Finally, those who really believe this doctrine will not send any missionaries out nor try to convert anyone. The third assumption is the logical conclusion of the first two.
Some Bible Examples that Will Not Allow for Irresistible Grace
Let us consider just a couple of passages that show this doctrine is foreign to the Bible.
Titus 2:11-14
For the grace of God hath appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us, to the intent that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly and righteously and godly in this present world; looking for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a people for his own possession, zealous of good works."
God’s grace is said to have appeared for the purpose of: bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny sin, and walking righteously now. We can look at the term “all men” and understand not that all will be saved, but that all have the opportunity to be saved and look forward to the hope of Christs’ return, because we have been redeemed from all iniquity and have become His possession.
Acts 7:51-53
“Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Spirit: as your fathers did, so do ye. Which of the prophets did not your fathers persecute? and they killed them that showed before of the coming of the Righteous One; of whom ye have now become betrayers and murderers; ye who received the law as it was ordained by angels, and kept it not.”
If you will recall from our lesson a few weeks past that the inspired Stephen answered the accusations and then made it plain to the Sanhedrin. They were stiffnecked by their own choice, and, because of that, they always resisted the Holy Spirit as their fathers did. God sent prophets even to those who rejected the prophet’s message, not because they were incapable of receiving the message, but the hope that they would.
Matthew 11:28-30
“Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
The words come and take are imperatives. Those are actions that individuals have to do themselves. The Lord said, “come unto me.” If irresistible grace were true, God would march the elect to Him. “Take my yoke”; if irresistible grace were true, God would not ask, He would fasten it onto the elect.
There are countless other examples that show that Irresistible Grace is a false doctrine. That is actually good news. If a church is wrong about the responsibility of man, what else are they wrong about? Let’s study together.
Grace and Peace,
R.D. Beavers
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