IS GOD'S GRACE IRRESISTIBLE?     BY STEVE FINNELL

The doctrine of irresistible grace, that was promoted by John Calvin, teaches that God's grace is applied only to those to whom He has determined to save, overcoming their resistance to obeying the call of the gospel, imputing them with faith in Christ so that they might become saved.

God's grace is available to all who hear the gospel.

Titus 2:11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.

God's grace is available to all men, however, most men reject the salvation offered by God. Men have a choice, grace is not irresistible.

Matthew 7:13-14 "Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. 14 Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.

Men can and do resist the Holy Spirit.

Acts 7:51 "You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do you.

Men have a choice to accept or reject the gospel. Men do resist the Holy Spirit.

Luke 9:5 "And whoever will not receive you, when you go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet as a testimony against them."

Why would Jesus say whoever will not receive you, if grace was irresistible? Grace is resistible.

Luke 13:34 "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but you were not willing!

Jesus wanted to save all Jerusalem, however, they resisted that call. Men have free-will to accept or reject God's salvation.

Men have always and will always have a choice to obey or disobey God.

Joshua 24:15 "And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served, that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

Men still have have choice of whom they will serve. God does not force men into service.

Faith comes by hearing the gospel preached. Faith does not come because of irresistible grace.

Romans 10:17 So the faith comes by hearing , and hearing by the word of God.

Men accept the word of God by faith. Men are not imputed with faith by irresistible grace given by the Holy Spirit. Men have a choice.

1 Thessalonians 2:13 For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcome it not as the word of men, but as truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe.

GOD WANTS ALL MEN TO BE SAVED

1 Timothy 2:3-4...God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth.

If irresistible grace were true, then all men would be saved.

The truth is, all who hear the gospel can be saved, but not all men are obedient to the gospel plan of salvation.

GOD'S GRACE IS NOT IRRESISTIBLE! 

(Scripture from: NKJV)