IRRESISTIBLE GRACE

     The assertion that the grace of God is irresistible does not imply that men do not resist the saving operations of God the Holy Spirit. All men do resist him (Rom.8:7).Neither does this blessed doctrine imply, as men foolishly assert, that God forces people to be saved whether they want to be or not.The doctrine of Holy Scripture is this - "THY PEOPLE SHALL BE WILLING IN THE DAY OF THY POWER" (Psa. 110:3). "BLESSED IS THE MAN WHOM THOU CHOOSEST AND CAUSEST TO APPROACH UNTO THEE" (Psa. 65:4). Thank God, there are some sinners in this world from whom God the Holy Spirit will not take "no" for an answer! By the blessed violence of sovereign grace he stops every chosen, redeemed sinner in his mad rush for hell, invades his heart, gives him life, and translates the sinner from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light. Revealing the beauty,glory,goodness,and grace of God in the face of Jesus Christ, he graciously causes chosen sinners to trust the Savior. He does not force men to be saved against their will. He simply gives them a new will. He does not force people who do not want Christ to come to him.He causes chosen sinners to want Christ. EVERY SAVED SINNER ASSERTS THIS GOSPEL TRUTH, AVOWING THAT HE TRUSTS CHRIST BECAUSE HE FINDS THE LOVE AND GRACE OF GOD IN CHRIST IRRESISTIBLE. That is the work of God the Holy Spirit. That is irresistible grace. Like a woman who has found the love of a man irresist- ible, every sinner who has experienced the irresist- ible love and grace of God in Christ rejoices in it.

 

Donald S. Fortner, Pastor

GRACE BAPTIST CHURCH OF DANVILLE

2734 Old Stanford Road

Danville, Kentucky 40422

236-8235