Irresistible Grace

David N. Steele and Curtis C. Thomas, in The Five Points of Calvinism: Defined, Defended, Documented, say,

“The gospel invitation extends a call to salvation to everyone who hears its message. It invites all men without distinction to drink freely of the water of life and live. It promises salvation to all who repent and believe. But this outward general call, extended to the elect and non-elect alike, will not bring sinners to Christ. Why? Because men are by nature dead in sin and are under its power. They are of themselves unable and unwilling to forsake their evil ways and to turn to Christ for mercy. Consequently, the unregenerate will not respond to the gospel call to repentance and faith. No amount of external threatenings or promises will cause blind, deaf, dead, rebellious sinners to bow before Christ as Lord and to look to Him alone for salvation. Such an act of faith and submission is contrary to the lost man's nature.

“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!” (pp. 48-49)

Some Texts Used to Support the Doctrine

Acts 16:14.  The argument Calvinists base on this passage is that God opened Lydia's heart to receive the word. She then heard it and was saved. The answer to this argument is that Calvinists have things out of order. The proper order is that Lydia began as a worshiper of God (v. 13, 14); after she heard Paul, Silas, and Timothy preaching, her heart was then opened (v. 14); and she responded and obeyed the Lord (v. 15). It is interesting to note that Calvinists will use this passage as a proof text for Irresistible Grace but exclude reference to Lydia’s baptism.

Romans 8:7.  The argument here is that the “carnal mind,” possessed by those who are depraved, cannot understand, believe, or obey the spiritual law of God. The answer here is to consider the verse in context--verses 1-8. Seen in the context is the free agency of man in choosing whether to obey or disobey God. In reality, the passage is teaching a simple principle: those who are spiritually minded, those who have an interest in spiritual things, will be obedient to the commands of God, and those who are carnally minded, those who possess no interest in spiritual matters, will be disobedient.

God does not force anyone to accept or reject His will. Calvinism simply views people as automatons with no will of their own. While Calvinists teach that since a person is born totally depraved, so he cannot even desire to do good. They say that if he is one of those who have been given unconditional election by God, that when God calls him, he cannot do anything to resist.

Scriptural Objections to Irresistible Grace

Irresistible Grace contradicts the Scriptural principle of free agency. This tenet of Calvinism declares that the grace of God cannot be rejected. In contrast, the Bible plainly teaches that one’s salvation is conditional upon his obedience. One can either reject or accept salvation as it is offered through Jesus Christ. The grace of God has appeared to all people (Tit. 2:11), and yet millions have rejected it. Each person is accountable for his response to the gospel (Jn. 12:47, 48). Those who reject the teachings of Jesus are held responsible (Jn. 5:24; 8:24). The Bible states that each individual is free to choose whether or not to take advantage of the grace of God. It clearly demonstrates one may resist God's grace as revealed in His word.

Irresistible Grace mistakenly portrays how people are called by God to salvation. All people are called by the gospel (2 Thes. 2:14). The Bible does not say that people are called by some still, small voice or by a direct operation of the Holy Spirit on them. The Holy Spirit in the conviction and conversion of the sinner does not work apart from the word (Rom. 1:16).

Irresistible Grace changes the order of belief and salvation. A Calvinist, Loraine Boettner, says, “A man is not saved because he believes in Christ; he believes in Christ because he is saved” (The Reformed Doctrine of Predestination). However, in the Bible, salvation always follows belief, i.e., faith always precedes salvation. John 3:16 teaches belief, then salvation. Acts 16:31 teaches belief then salvation. Mark 16:16 teaches belief, baptism, then salvation.

Hebrews 11:6. One cannot be saved without faith, thus making it a condition of salvation and causing it to have to precede the salvation of one’s soul.

Conclusion

The Scriptures reveal that we are saved by the grace of God (Eph.2:5). However, using our freedom to choose, we accept this grace by our faith, not because God forces us to accept it (Rev. 21:17).