Irresistible Grace ?

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Apr 2, 2020
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Irresistible grace is not Biblical. I think when Jesus shows us proof of that there's really no counter argument to be made.

“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her! How often I have wanted to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were unwilling. Matthew 23:37

Matthew 22:14 can perhaps be considered as saying, rather than, many are called but few are chosen, to mean instead, many are called the world over by the Gospel, but few have chosen to follow the call.

Otherwise, what sense would it make to think God called many to him but then chose only a few? Why call many and not allow the many into his grace? When his free gift of grace was put into effect by his love for the whole world. That he beget himself upon a woman and came into the world as a man, his only begotten son. That whosoever would believe in him would not perish in their sins but would have immortal life, salvation.

Whosoever, precludes an elite favored exclusive group of persons. Jesus took the sins of the whole world upon himself on the cross. To what? Save only a few?
Nonsense.
I've always taken "many are called, few are chosen" as a bit of a play on words. After all, He was speaking to a people that refer to themselves as a chosen people. A bit of reproach that the original chosen people refused to enter the banquet.

Further, it's rather strange to me that that parable is used the way it is when clearly there isn't some kind of pre-selection of those who come implied in the parable itself since those who come come of their own volition and the one who is bound and ejected is because he didn't show proper decorum, he chose not to treat the wedding feast with the proper veneration. Yet there is only one guest ejected so to link him with the "many" and the multitude that showed proper respect and remained the "few" is rather bizarre, as the implication that it was the mans very presence as one of the unelect that got him ejected would require.
 
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49

Guest
Calvinism has its sway on me for a season. So I looked into it and was then shocked at how bad it is ( unscrpitual) Of course you then want to then warn others of the bondage of Lordship salvation .
Will be reading up on it now. Thanks again, and God bless!
 

awelight

Well-known member
Aug 10, 2020
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Will be reading up on it now. Thanks again, and God bless!
If throughfaith, was meaning by "Lordship salvation" as in this definition, " Lordship Salvation, "the doctrine of Lordship salvation teaches that submitting to Christ as Lord goes hand-in-hand with trusting in Christ as Savior." Then put me in bondage. After all the Bible calls us Slaves to Christ, over and over. Proud to be His Slave.

The modern teachings, that one could be saved but not see Christ as Lord, is Heresy. Not just simple error. As soon as a person is saved, one of the first things they become aware of, is Jesus Christ is Lord. He is the covenant Lord of Israel. The great "I AM". He is the creator and Lord of Lord's. He purchased us with a price and therefore, has made us, all believers, His Slaves.

So hopefully, throughfaith was not talking about this point, as described here.

Advice to you 49, always follow this guide, as you study and harmonize Scripture. Always be of the mind set, that God is to be Glorified in all of your interpretations. That man should be debased and thrown down. Always see Christ for the person He truly is, King of kings and Lord of lords. If you come up with an interpretation, that elevates man and puts into question God's Sovereignty (His absolute control), then throw it away.

The Bible is best understood, when approached with the realization, that it is a book about Jesus Christ and the Father's love for His Son. His Father loved Him so, that He put all things into subjection of His Son. The Father set about a plan, that would give His Son a Bride that would love and adore Him forever and forever. This made some a recipient of His Grace, to accomplish this.

The unregenerate mind, takes this blessed thought and makes it about man. Many will be the recipient of this plan and those that are are thankful for it but we recognize it is not about us, it is about Jesus Christ. Come Lord Jesus.
 
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49

Guest
If throughfaith, was meaning by "Lordship salvation" as in this definition, " Lordship Salvation, "the doctrine of Lordship salvation teaches that submitting to Christ as Lord goes hand-in-hand with trusting in Christ as Savior." Then put me in bondage. After all the Bible calls us Slaves to Christ, over and over. Proud to be His Slave.

The modern teachings, that one could be saved but not see Christ as Lord, is Heresy. Not just simple error. As soon as a person is saved, one of the first things they become aware of, is Jesus Christ is Lord. He is the covenant Lord of Israel. The great "I AM". He is the creator and Lord of Lord's. He purchased us with a price and therefore, has made us, all believers, His Slaves.

So hopefully, throughfaith was not talking about this point, as described here.

Advice to you 49, always follow this guide, as you study and harmonize Scripture. Always be of the mind set, that God is to be Glorified in all of your interpretations. That man should be debased and thrown down. Always see Christ for the person He truly is, King of kings and Lord of lords. If you come up with an interpretation, that elevates man and puts into question God's Sovereignty (His absolute control), then throw it away.

The Bible is best understood, when approached with the realization, that it is a book about Jesus Christ and the Father's love for His Son. His Father loved Him so, that He put all things into subjection of His Son. The Father set about a plan, that would give His Son a Bride that would love and adore Him forever and forever. This made some a recipient of His Grace, to accomplish this.

The unregenerate mind, takes this blessed thought and makes it about man. Many will be the recipient of this plan and those that are are thankful for it but we recognize it is not about us, it is about Jesus Christ. Come Lord Jesus.

Thanks awelight! Proud to be His slave/servant as well! (Not to be confused with what some folk believe that we have to work for/earn Salvation).

This teaching you mentioned: 'that one could be saved but not see Christ as Lord'....how can anyone believe that??
 

Journeyman

Well-known member
Jan 10, 2019
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You stiff-necked people! Your hearts and ears are still uncircumcised. You are just like your ancestors: You always resist the Holy Spirit! Act.17:51
 

awelight

Well-known member
Aug 10, 2020
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Thanks awelight! Proud to be His slave/servant as well! (Not to be confused with what some folk believe that we have to work for/earn Salvation).

This teaching you mentioned: 'that one could be saved but not see Christ as Lord'....how can anyone believe that??
Don't know my friend. It's source obviously comes from a depraved mind.

I would argue that one who has received Grace, sees Jesus Christ as Lord, even before they see Him a Savior. Now the the new, regenerated person, has a burning and thirsting of the things of God, He knows that the answers are to be found in our Lord's Holy Words.

What did Saul, first recognize?

Act 9:3-5 And as he journeyed, it came to pass that he drew nigh unto Damascus: and suddenly there shone round about him a light out of heaven: and he fell upon the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest:

He did not yet know it was Jesus but he knew the voice of the Lord.
 

awelight

Well-known member
Aug 10, 2020
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You stiff-necked people! Your hearts and ears are still uncircumcised. You are just like your ancestors: You always resist the Holy Spirit! Act.17:51
First of all, the verse you are quoting is in Acts 7:51.

What does he mean by, ".....you always resist the Holy Spirit?

This can only be understood in the context.

1) They were stubborn. (an adjective, meaning: showing dogged determination not to change one's attitude or position on something, especially in spite of good arguments or reasons to do so. )
2) Their hearts were uncircumcised.
3) Their ears were in the same condition.

This is a description of those who had not received the new birth. They still possessed that old stony heart.

Because of their condition, they resisted the Holy Spirit. Resisted here, means to resist the message of the Holy Spirit, are in other words, the preaching of the Gospel. They loved the darkness and would not come to the light. Just as their fathers would not except the words of Moses, the Prophets, Jesus Christ nor would they hear the present preacher. They couldn't because of their uncircumcised ears.

Resisting the Holy Spirit, cannot apply to the New Birth of John 3:3-10, because that is a direct work of the Spirit upon the individual. The person receiving it is "passive" according to the Greek, therefore they have no more say so about this birth, than they did about the conception of themselves in the flesh, wherein they were co-created by their parents.
 

awelight

Well-known member
Aug 10, 2020
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A couple of thoughts to ponder on this Lord's Day.

For those who do not think that salvation is the free Grace of God. God plus nothing.

Ponder these two statements, if you will:


-- When a man teaches that Salvation is a cooperation between God and man......It is like teaching that the clay is in cooperation with the potter, as to how it will be formed.


-- Philosophers say: Free Grace makes man nothing more than a mere puppet on a string.....But the recipients of Grace reply, This is better than making God a puppet on a string, of man's free will.
 

awelight

Well-known member
Aug 10, 2020
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Thanks awelight! Proud to be His slave/servant as well! (Not to be confused with what some folk believe that we have to work for/earn Salvation).

This teaching you mentioned: 'that one could be saved but not see Christ as Lord'....how can anyone believe that??
As another suggestion of help to you, if you will receive it, check out the following:

www.webbmt.org

This is the W. E. Best book library, online and free.

Click on the "Book List" tab ---- and search for the mini-book, entitled "Honoring the True God".

If you like what is in it, then you can chose to read some of the other works.

I knew this man for nearly a decade. The Lord used him in a mighty way. He has gone home now and is enjoying the presence of the Lord. That which we, still excitedly await.

God Bless and take care.
 
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49

Guest
As another suggestion of help to you, if you will receive it, check out the following:

www.webbmt.org

This is the W. E. Best book library, online and free.

Click on the "Book List" tab ---- and search for the mini-book, entitled "Honoring the True God".

If you like what is in it, then you can chose to read some of the other works.

I knew this man for nearly a decade. The Lord used him in a mighty way. He has gone home now and is enjoying the presence of the Lord. That which we, still excitedly await.

God Bless and take care.
Thanks!
 

Journeyman

Well-known member
Jan 10, 2019
2,107
763
113
First of all, the verse you are quoting is in Acts 7:51.

What does he mean by, ".....you always resist the Holy Spirit?

This can only be understood in the context.

1) They were stubborn. (an adjective, meaning: showing dogged determination not to change one's attitude or position on something, especially in spite of good arguments or reasons to do so. )
2) Their hearts were uncircumcised.
3) Their ears were in the same condition.

This is a description of those who had not received the new birth. They still possessed that old stony heart.

Because of their condition, they resisted the Holy Spirit. Resisted here, means to resist the message of the Holy Spirit, are in other words, the preaching of the Gospel. They loved the darkness and would not come to the light. Just as their fathers would not except the words of Moses, the Prophets, Jesus Christ nor would they hear the present preacher. They couldn't because of their uncircumcised ears.

Resisting the Holy Spirit, cannot apply to the New Birth of John 3:3-10, because that is a direct work of the Spirit upon the individual. The person receiving it is "passive" according to the Greek, therefore they have no more say so about this birth, than they did about the conception of themselves in the flesh, wherein they were co-created by their parents.
The heresy of "irresistable grace" teaches Gods grace is irresistable, no matter how stubborn a person is.
 

awelight

Well-known member
Aug 10, 2020
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This maybe of interest to some. A survey done by Ligonier Ministries and LifeWay Research (Yr. 2020):

Questions asked and there responses.:


1). Jesus was a great teacher but He was not God.
--- Among general population -- 52% agreed and 36% disagreed.
--- Among Evangelicals ----------- 30% agreed and 66% disagreed.

2). God chose the people He would save, before He created the World.
--- Among general population -- 26% agreed and 50% disagreed.
--- Among Evangelicals ----------- 38% agreed and 44% disagreed.

3). The Bible, like all Sacred writings, contains helpful accounts of ancient myths but is not literally true.
--- Among general population -- 48% agreed and 41% disagreed.
--- Evangelicals were not questioned.

4). Religious belief is a matter of personal opinion, it is not objective.
--- Among general population -- 54% agreed and 34% disagreed.
--- Evangelicals were not questioned.

5) The Holy Spirit gives a spiritual New Birth or new life, before a person has faith in Jesus Christ.
-- general population was not questioned.
-- Among Evangelicals ------------ 57% agreed and 35% disagreed.

6). God accepts the worship of all religions, including Christianity, Judaism and Islam.
-- general population was not questioned.
-- Among Evangelicals ------------ 42% agreed and 48% disagreed.

>>>> missing percentages were in the category of "Not Sure".

The state of religion today.
 
E

EleventhHour

Guest
A couple of thoughts to ponder on this Lord's Day.

For those who do not think that salvation is the free Grace of God. God plus nothing.

Ponder these two statements, if you will:


-- When a man teaches that Salvation is a cooperation between God and man......It is like teaching that the clay is in cooperation with the potter, as to how it will be formed.


-- Philosophers say: Free Grace makes man nothing more than a mere puppet on a string.....But the recipients of Grace reply, This is better than making God a puppet on a string, of man's free will.
The Potter and the clay is not regarding salvation... as well Calvinism is not free grace it is forced grace....which is not grace at all.
 
May 19, 2020
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The Potter and the clay is not regarding salvation... as well Calvinism is not free grace it is forced grace....which is not grace at all.


So,what is The Potter and the clay regarding.?

I would say after salvation,God is the Potter we are the clay?
 

Adstar

Senior Member
Jul 24, 2016
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will draw all men unto me, is it mean all men will be saved ?or just draw(a blueprint that) all men(sinners) unto Jesus chirst ?
Or both are meant to be
All men, meaning men from all races and cultures..
 

awelight

Well-known member
Aug 10, 2020
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So,what is The Potter and the clay regarding.?

I would say after salvation,God is the Potter we are the clay?
Often, I appreciate your comments but this one is terrible. That understanding destroys everything Paul was working towards. Hopefully, you misspoke.