Is God’s Grace Irresistible?

The fourth point of Calvinism’s TULIP is named “Irresistible Grace.” Is God’s grace really irresistible? The Bible overwhelmingly teaches it is not.

We actually have that exact word “resist” in Acts 7:51. How did the Israelites “always resist the Holy Ghost” if that was impossible to do?

God certainly calls (invites) sinners to salvation, but He never forces them. If He did, how come “many are called, but few are chosen” as Matt 22:14 plainly states?

God “often” offered to extend His grace to His chosen people in Old Testament times, but the Israelites kept refusing to repent. Any Calvinist that studies back there should know that. Jesus states that outright in Matt 23:37 – “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!”

And if such refusing of God’s grace were not possible, why would God repeatedly warn us against such in passages like Heb 12:25 – “See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven”?

God never forces us to obey Him, instead He “leadeth” us in that direction. Isn’t that plain and simple to see from a verse like Rom 2:4 – “Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?”

God knows only a free will choice to obey Him can demonstrate true love for Him (John 14:15). That’s why God uses the gospel (Rom 1:16, 10:17) to persuade men, not force them – “Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men” (II Cor 5:11a)

It is true God opens people’s eyes and hearts (like Lydia in Acts 16:14), but that is through divine persuasion (not force). Acts 26:18 says Paul was sent to “open” the eyes of the Gentiles, but even Calvinists believe that was done through gospel persuasion, not force. God gives the faithful their “daily bread” (Matt 6:11), but we all know that is through means (our jobs), not supernaturally without any effort on our part.

The very obvious truth is God extends the availability of salvation to all (John 3:16, I Tim 2:6, Heb 2:9, II Pet 3:9b), but many (like the Pharisees in Luke 7:30) “reject” the opportunity (His advances). Not only is rejection of God’s grace possible, unfortunately the great majority do just that.

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