Irresistible Grace vs The Bible

An Introduction

🏛️ The Calvinist Claim:

When God decides to save someone, His grace is irresistible. The inner call is so effectual that the person will infallibly come to faith—these were chosen before Creation and have no say in the matter.

🔍 The Biblical Rebuttal:
Grace is powerful and enabling—but not coercive. God’s Spirit draws, teaches, and convicts—but Scripture shows that this grace can be resisted.

⚖️ Biblical Truth: Grace Can Be Resisted—Love Requires Freedom

1. **People Resist the Holy Spirit** 
Acts 7:51; Luke 7:30

2. **Jesus Wept Over Rejection** 
Matthew 23:37

3. **Grace Draws, But Doesn’t Drag** 
John 12:32

4. **Faith Comes by Hearing, Not Irresistible Pull** 

Romans 10:17

 🌺 Irresistible Grace – A Biblical Critique

🏛️ The Calvinist Claim:

When God decides to save someone, His grace is irresistible. The inner call is so effectual that the person will infallibly come to faith. These are the elect who were predestined before Creation.

🔍 The Biblical Rebuttal:

Grace is powerful and enabling—but not coercive. God’s Spirit draws, teaches, and convicts—but Scripture shows that this grace can be resisted.

⚖️ Biblical Truth: Grace Can Be Resisted—Love Requires Freedom

  1. People Resist the Holy Spirit

  • Acts 7:51 – “You always resist the Holy Spirit…”

  • Luke 7:30 – The Pharisees “rejected the purpose of God for themselves.”

  1. Jesus Wept Over Rejection

  • Matthew 23:37 – “How often I would have gathered your children… but you were not willing!”

  1. Grace Draws, But Doesn’t Drag

  • John 12:32 – “I will draw all people to Myself.”
    This is not force; it is persuasion, meant to be freely received.

  1. Faith Comes by Hearing, Not Irresistible Pull

  • Romans 10:17 – “Faith comes from hearing… the Word of Christ.”
    No one is forced to believe; the Word must be heard and received.

🔚 Conclusion:

Irresistible grace undermines the relational nature of salvation. Grace is compelling—but not controlling. God's love invites; it does not enslave.

Next: > Perseverance Of The Saints vs The Bible

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