As I'm writing this blog post on September 3, 2024 it is evident that the tentacles of Calvinism are continuing to strengthen it's grip on far too many protestant churches around the world. One of the tenants of the Calvinistic Tulip is the false doctrine of "irresistible grace" which denies the idea that God gave every man free will.This false teaching puts forward the notion that human beings do not have a choice to either believe in Jesus or to reject Him. In other words, men are little more than robots in their relationship to the Almighty.
One of their sugar stick verses to support this notion is found in John, chapter six, verse 44, in which Jesus says, "No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him; and I will raise him up at the last day".
At face value and not examining any other Scriptures this might be a good argument for irresistible grace. But as we shall see, this verse doesn't by itself support that teaching.
Some clarification comes to us when we simply go to the next chapter, John twelve, verse 32, where Jesus says (concerning his imminent crucifixion) "And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me". The historical fact of Jesus' death is set as a testimony before all men which draws all men to Christ. However, that drawing can be rejected if an individual is not willing.
Another interesting passage that sheds some light on the issue of free will is found in Luke chapter thirteen, verse 34, where Jesus laments the unbelief of the Jews, "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not".
The ESV Bible translates "ye would not" as "you were not willing". Now consider this, why would Jesus weep and be surprised at the unbelief of this city if He was the one who did not give them free will. If irresistible grace were true then Jesus would not of been sad or bewildered at their unwillingness to believe. However, Jesus fully knew they had a free will and therefore was deeply saddened by their rejection of Him.
Another obvious affirmative vote for free will is found in the very last gospel invitation found in the Bible, Revelation twenty-two, verse 17, which says "And the Spirit and the Bride say, come, and let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst Come; And whosoever will, let him take of the water of life freely".
Calvinists have conveniently avoided meaningful dialogue when it comes to passages like Revelation 22:17 by simply stating that the "whosoever" identified in this verse is simply talking about the elect. That is about all they can do with that verse and it's a pitiful hermeneutic to say the least! As for me, I agree with the hymn writer when he wrote "whosoever surely meaneth me, surely meaneth me, O surely meaneth me!". The last gospel invitation in the Bible offers salvation to all mankind. And all or any of mankind can access eternal life if he is willing, yes, free willing!
Another passage of Scripture where Calvinist unpack their lame interpretations is Second Peter, three, verse nine, "The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is long-suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, " Predictably, the average Calvinist will argue that the "any" references only the chosen. There is no sound reason for such a biased interpretation. God is not willing that any should perish and that means any. If God is not willing that any should perish then why in the world would he not give men free will? It makes no sense and it's just another reason why Calvinism makes no logical sense when you approach the Bible honestly and without a preconceived theological framework.
The shame of Calvinistic Bible interpretation knows no bounds when we look at another one of the tenants of the Calvinistic Tulip and that being the false doctrine of "limited atonement" which denies the idea that God gave every man the chance to obtain eternal life because Jesus did not die for all. They use the same illogical approach on the most well known and beloved verse, John chapter three, verse 16. Their spin on the "world" and "whosoever" is again found wanting. The "world" and "whosoever" (to the Calvinist) are references only to the elect. It's a very anemic definition of two words that are simple to grasp. God so loved the whole world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever (that surely means me!) believeth in Him hath everlasting life.
It is exactly at this juncture that I can point out the way irresistible grace is connected to limited atonement. Calvinists would have us believe that Jesus didn't die for the whole world but only for the selected ones! If one of those reformed dominoes falls they all fall.
I think one of the strongest arguments against limited atonement can be found by an event that occurred the very night that Jesus was born. The Angel of the Lord appeared to lowly shepherds that Bethlehem night with these words found in Luke chapter two, verse ten "And the angel said to them, Fear not; for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people". Verse eleven tells them the good news was the arrival of their Savior. Did you notice that phrase "all people"? Did the angel of the Lord know if these lowly shepherds were of the elect or not?
Jesus is the Savior of the world. He's the Savior of all men, if they will only believe. This is the most important aspect of the gospel. Eternal life is available to any and to all who are simply persuaded that the promises of Jesus concerning this gift are true. In John the eleventh chapter, Jesus presented the good news to a close friend, Martha. He said that he was the Resurrection and the Life and that "whosoever liveth and believeth in Me shall never die". Jesus asked for the only response that any man, woman, boy or girl will ever have to provide..."believest thou this?".
Dear reader are you persuaded that John 11 is true? What about John three, sixteen, or a host of other promises concerning eternal life?
Don't believe the reformed lies that you have no free will or that Jesus didn't die for every man! Believe on the Lord Jesus today for eternal life!
