The Heart of the Gospel - Pt 8

Then Isaiah is so bold as to say, “I have been found by those who did not seek me; I have shown myself to those who did not ask for me.” But of Israel he says, “All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and contrary people.” (Romans 10:20-21 ESV).

Some of you may be familiar with the acronym “TULIP.” Each of these letters are the beginning of a word or phrase describing the five basic principles of the Gospel we are considering. They are also used to describe the basis of reformed theology. We have considered the “T” of Total Depravity. If we were following the traditional order, we would now consider “Unconditional Election.” We will get to that; however, we should move next to “Irresistible Grace.” I am putting it second because my experience has been that most Christians have a conscious, personal experience of irresistible grace, even if they have never called it that. I rarely meet Christians who want to take credit for their conversion. There is something about true grace in the believer’s heart that makes us want to give all the glory to God. Most of us feel instinctively that we should glorify God’s grace by saying: “There but for the grace of God go I.” In other words, we know intuitively that God’s grace was decisive in our conversion. That is what we mean by irresistible grace. The doctrine of irresistible grace does not mean that every influence of the Holy Spirit cannot be resisted. It means that the Holy Spirit, whenever he chooses, can overcome all resistance and make his influence irresistible. The bible is replete with examples of this truth. Stephen says to the Jewish leaders, “You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you” (Acts 7:51). And, Paul speaks of grieving and quenching the Holy Spirit (cf. Ephesians 4:30; 1 Thessalonians 5:19). God gives many entreaties and promptings which are resisted. In fact, the whole history of Israel in the Old Testament is one protracted story of human resistance to God’s commands and promises. This resistance does not contradict God’s sovereignty. God allows it, and overcomes it whenever he chooses. The doctrine of irresistible grace means that God is sovereign and can conquer all resistance when he wills. As we will see over the next few days, this truth should bring us great comfort. Since my redemption is not dependent on my fickly and unreliable will, I have no fear of ever losing what I have been given. God has given me this great gift that I can never lose nor reject. He brought me and He keeps me. That should allow us to move through every failure and sin with the knowledge of forgiveness and restoration. That’s good news!