Calvin’s TULIP Part V: Irresistible Grace

The doctrine of John Calvin includes “Irresistible Grace,” the idea that a person who is predestined cannot resist God’s will to save them.  As with other tenets of this doctrine, let us simply compare this idea with what the scripture says.  (As always, all emphasis added by me, MDJ):

• I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live…Deuteronomy 30:19
• And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.   Joshua 24:15
• He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.  Mark 16:16
• The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.  (10)  But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.  II Peter 3:9-10
• Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.  (22)  But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.  Mat 19:21-22

The Bible teaches that all men have a choice.  Just as the rich young man of Matthew 19, we, too, can choose to go away and refuse the gift of God.   Or, like Joshua of old, we can also choose to serve the Lord.  The choice is ours, and while he would have none to perish, God will not make the choice for us.

Until next time, let me encourage you to search the scriptures daily, whether these things are so.  Acts 17:11

Copyright 2009 Mance J. Davis Jr.