Effectual Grace

The TULIP acronym uses the expression irresistible grace. But, is grace irresistible? R. C. Sproul, a Reformed theologian wrote, "The term irresistible grace is misleading." He further wrote, "God's grace is resistible in the sense that we can and do resist it." Dr. Sproul concluded, "Thus I prefer the term effectual grace."

Scripture is clear that people resist the grace of God. "You always resist the Holy Spirit" (Acts 7:51). Scripture also speaks of those who have "insulted the Spirit of grace" (Hebrews 10:29). Until the Holy Spirit comes with conviction and changes our hearts, we resist God's grace. Thereafter, we desire to follow Christ and seek to do God's will.

Dr. Sproul used his preferred term, effectual grace. That is grace which effectively changes the hearts of people through the gospel of Jesus Christ. In the book of Acts, Lydia is an example of effectual grace. "The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul" (Acts 16:14). She heard the gospel, believed and was baptized.

If people resist the grace of God by rejecting the gospel, it's their choice. They are responsible for their own just condemnation. However, if people hear and believe the gospel of Christ, they do so because the Holy Spirit works effectual grace in their hearts.

The Natural Man

Do we have free will? Yes, as far as natural ability is concerned. Reason and experience makes that obvious. But, do we have free will as far spiritual things are concerned? Absolutely not, we are unable to understand until we are born of the Spirit.

Jonathan Edwards taught that free will from a biblical standpoint must be distinguished between natural ability and spiritual ability. All people have free will as far as natural ability is concerned. That is to say, God has given all of us the ability of choice in the natural world. Yet, the natural man without Jesus Christ is in bondage to sin and unbelief as far as spiritual ability is concerned.

Edwards view of free will is consistent with Scripture, and the teaching of the apostle Paul. The natural man cannot receive the things of the Spirit of God (1 Corinthians 1:18; 2:12-14). He is spiritually dead in sin and trespasses (Ephesians 2:1). His mind is unable to discern and believe what the Holy Spirit teaches (John 3:10-12).

Only when we are born of the Spirit, through faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ, are we able to understand and truly believe what Scripture teaches. The natural man cannot receive the things of the Spirit of God. After new birth, the Holy Spirit becomes our teacher through Scripture, guiding us into all truth. And, that truth is found in the one who is the truth, Jesus our Lord (John 14:6). 

3 Views on Election

Election is the doctrine that God chose His people in Christ (Ephesians 1:4-6). Serious students of Scripture cannot deny that this doctrine is taught in the Bible. The debate arises over how and why God chose His people. This debate over election has continued for centuries. Consider three views on election. 

Conditional election teaches the view that God chose certain people to salvation, because He foresaw they would believe in Christ (Acts 16:30-31). The condition for salvation, according to the Bible, is believing in the Lord Jesus Christ (John 3:16). Therefore, if salvation is conditional, then our election must be conditional. 

Unconditional election teaches that God did not choose any person to salvation in Christ based upon foresight of what they would do (Romans 9:11). Therefore, our election to salvation is according to whom God foreknew (Romans 8:29-30). Others are left in their choice of rebellion to be justly condemned according to God's justice, based upon their personal sins (Romans 9:22).

Corporate election teaches that the primary election is of Christ. He is the Elect One, chosen to redeem us (Isaiah 42:1). Therefore, our election is in the Elect One, Jesus Christ our Lord. The apostle Paul spoke of those "who also were in Christ before me" (Romans 16:7). All who come to faith in Christ are baptized by the Holy Spirit into Christ (1 Corinthians 12:13).  

Faith Resting in Christ

Charles Spurgeon wrote, "My faith rests not upon what I am or shall be or feel or know, but in what Christ is, in what He has done, and in what He is now doing for me. Hallelujah!" 

Faith must rest in Christ and not in ourselves. We know that we are sinners and Christ died for our sins. We are not trusting in self-righteousness. Faith is in the righteousness of Christ. He is our righteousness.

Spurgeon taught faith is "in what Christ is, in what He has done, and in what He is now doing." That's our faith resting in Christ alone. We are "looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith" (Hebrews 12:2).

Faith is confidence and assurance resting in Christ, and not in ourselves. It is knowing Christ as our Surety (Hebrews 7:22). He is our guarantee of eternal salvation. 

We may testify with Spurgeon, "My faith rests not upon what I am or shall be or feel or know, but in what Christ is, in what He has done, and in what He is now doing for me. Hallelujah!" 

Yes, true faith will rest in Christ alone. We confess, "I am a sinner for whom Christ died." We are focused upon Christ crucified for our sins. No self-righteousness do we claim. We know by faith, that Christ died for our sins. He is risen from the dead as our living Lord.