The Heart of the Gospel - Pt 9

You will say to me then, “Why does he still find fault? For who can resist his will?” But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, “Why have you made me like this?” Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for dishonorable use? What if God, desiring to show his wrath and to make known his power, has endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, in order to make known the riches of his glory for vessels of mercy, which he has prepared beforehand for glory— even us whom he has called, not from the Jews only but also from the Gentiles? (Romans 9:19-24 ESV).

Irresistible grace speaks of the work of God alone in bringing us to faith. This may be one of the most difficult principles found in the Scripture. The Apostle Paul deals with it extensively in chapter nine of the letter to the Romans. Our reading today is a part of that passage. Earlier he called attention to the complete work of God from start to finish in man’s redemption and it caused his opponents to say, “Why then does he still find fault? For who can resist his will?” (v. 14). Paul’s answer is our reading today. So, to be more specific, irresistible grace refers to the sovereign work of God to overcome the rebellion of our heart and bring us to faith in Christ so that we can be saved. If the doctrine of total depravity, as we have unfolded it in previous devotionals is true, there can be no salvation without the reality of irresistible grace. If we are dead in our sins, and unable to submit to God because of our rebellious nature, then we will never believe in Christ unless God overcomes our rebellion. There are those who argue that while it is true that the Holy Spirit must draw us to God, we can use our freedom to resist or accept that drawing. However, that is not what the Bible teaches. Except for the continual exertion of saving grace, we will always use our freedom to resist God. That is what it means to be “unable to submit to God.” “The mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God” (Romans 8:7-8). If a person becomes humble enough to submit to God, it is because God has given that person a new, humble nature. If a person remains too hard-hearted and proud to submit to God, it is because that person has not been given such a willing spirit. This is the difference between “vessels of wrath” and “vessels of mercy.” We’ll look more closely at the Scripture in the coming days concerning this truth. Today, focus on this great gift God has given you. Let it encourage and strengthen you in your journey.