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tulipi

I – Irresistible Grace:

Defined:

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!  The Spirit is in no way dependent upon their help or cooperation for success in His work of bringing them to Christ.  It is for this reason that Calvinists speak of the Spirit’s call and of God’s grace in saving sinners as being “efficacious,” “invincible,” or “irresistible.”  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 (Steele & Thomas, p. 49)!

Scriptural Considerations:

Let’s recap again.  Calvinism says: Because of being born in sin, all of us are spiritually dead, so dead we are unable to even have faith (Total Depravity).  Therefore, in order for us to be saved, God alone had to save us.  We know that everyone doesn’t “get saved,” so, God had to choose those to whom He would give grace (Unconditional Election).  Jesus couldn’t have died for everyone or everyone would be saved.  So, because some are lost, we know Jesus didn’t die for everyone (Limited Atonement).  If you’re one of the ones God picked, you can’t change it (Irresistible Grace).

Stephen said of the disobedient Jews who had deceitfully brought him to trial:

“You men who are stiff‑necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears are always resisting the Holy Spirit; you are doing just as your fathers did.  “Which one of the prophets did your fathers not persecute?  And they killed those who had previously announced the coming of the Righteous One, whose betrayers and murderers you have now become; you who received the law as ordained by angels, and yet did not keep it” (Acts 7:51‑53).

Stephen said this rowdy assembly was “resisting the Holy Spirit.”   Evidently the work of the Spirit can be resisted.  Their fathers had resisted the Spirit by persecuting the prophets and killing the ones who announced Christ.  But the sons were “resisting the Holy Spirit” through betraying and murdering Christ, and even though they had the law, they “did not keep it.”  When people today refuse to obey the word of God, they also are resisting the Spirit.  [We can also “grieve” (Ephesians 4:30) and insult “the Spirit of grace” (Hebrews 10:29)].

The Spirit’s call is to all:

And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wishes take the water of life without cost (Revelation 22:17).

Jesus said to some, “you are unwilling to come to Me, that you may have life” (John 5:40).  The Spirit’s call is not “irresistible” for man has often resisted yielding to the Spirit’s invitation and instruction.  Therefore, the grace which God offers can be resisted by the insolent will of man.

– Glen Osburn