Here, as in John 6:65 repentance is called a gift of God. God may perhaps grant that they will repent and come to know the truth.' But the decisive, irresistible gift of grace was not given.Ģ Timothy 2:24-25 says, 'The Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kindly to every one, an apt teacher, forbearing, correcting his opponents with gentleness. There were many influences on his life for good. And because he knew this, he explains it with the words, No one comes to me unless it is given to him by my Father. Second, notice that the reason Jesus says this, is to explain why 'there are some who do not believe.' We could paraphrase it like this: Jesus knew from the beginning that Judas would not believe on him in spite of all the teaching and invitations he received. Coming to Jesus is 'given' to some and not to others. And he said, 'This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father.''įirst, notice that coming to Jesus is called a gift. Specifically, John 6:64-65 says, ''But there are some of you that do not believe.' For Jesus knew from the first who those were that did not believe, and who it was that should betray him. Again some say, 'He draws all men, not just some.' But this simply evades the clear implication of the context that the Father's 'drawing' is why some believe and not others. In John 6:44 Jesus says, 'No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him.' This drawing is the sovereign work of grace without which no one can be saved from their rebellion against God.

But to see this most persuasively we should look at the Scriptures. 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. That is what it means to be 'unable to submit to God.' If a person becomes humble enough to submit to God it is because God has given that person a new, humble nature. Someone may say, 'Yes, the Holy Spirit must draw us to God, but we can use our freedom to resist or accept that drawing.' Our answer is: except for the continual exertion of saving grace, we will always use our freedom to resist God.

If we are dead in our sins, totally unable to submit to God, then we will never believe in Christ unless God overcomes our rebellion. If our doctrine of total depravity is true, there can be no salvation without the reality of irresistible grace. More specifically 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. This is what Paul taught in Romans 9:14-18, which caused his opponent to say, 'Why then does he still find fault? For who can resist his will?' To which Paul answers: 'Who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, 'Why have you made me thus?' Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for beauty and another for menial use?' (Romans 9:20f). When God undertakes to fulfill his sovereign purpose, no one can successfully resist him. 'Our God is in the heavens he does whatever he pleases' (Psalm 115:3). 'He does according to his will in the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth and none can stay his hand!' (Daniel 4:35). The doctrine of irresistible grace means that God is sovereign and can overcome all resistance when he wills.

In fact the whole history of Israel in the Old Testament is one protracted story of resistance, as the parable of the wicked tenants shows (Matthew 21:33-43 cf. God gives many entreaties and promptings which are resisted. In Acts 7:51 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.' And Paul speaks of grieving and quenching the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:30 1 Thessalonians 5:19).

It means that the Holy Spirit can overcome all resistance and make his influence irresistible. The doctrine of irresistible grace does not mean that every influence of the Holy Spirit cannot be resisted.

Define irresistible