January 29th: Irresistible Grace

Speaker: Chris Laws

A look at the Counsel of Redemption, and the call of God to sinners - external and internal. 

So far:
Total Depravity = man's condition hopeless.
Unconditional Election = God determines to save a vast host from their fate.
Limited Atonement = God provides the full payment for them.

THE COUNSEL OF REDEMPTION
We speak of a momentous counsel of Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
It is laid out in the NT. The ‘event’ comes into focus as we survey the texts.

1. Ephesians 3.11 “The eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus.”
God has one overarching purpose [singular, Gk ‘a plan set down’].
It is an eternal plan, one which provides for eternity.
A ‘planning session’. Christ is central in the purpose.

2. Ephesians 1.4 “According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world.”
Planned in eternity past; “before the foundation of the world”.
The eternal plan involves choosing: the Father choosing His people – a vast host that no man can number.

3. 2 Thessalonians 2.13 “God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation.”
The Father planned a way to save us from eternal death and hell. Nobody on earth could figure it out.

4. 2 Timothy 1.9 “Who hath saved us…according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began.”
Grace was to be given us, unmerited pardon. How to freely forgive us.
How would it be done? Achieved by “Christ Jesus”.

5. 1 Peter 1.20 “Who...was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you.”
The Father “ordained” (ie appointed) in eternity past Christ as our Saviour – “for you”.
Christ commissioned. Arrangements put in place.

6. John 17.4 “I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.”
Christ recalls the Father’s commission of long ago.
The details of His commission we now know; the record of His life and death.

7. John 6.39 “And this is the Father's will which sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.”
It was agreed that Christ would be “sent”, become a servant.
The Father gave Him a people, the elect as His people for ever;“all he hath given me.”
       We were “given” to Christ before we were saved.

8. John 10.15 “I lay down my life for the sheep…no man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself.”
Christ agreed to come and die for us – ‘I will go.’

9. Ephesians 1.5 “Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ unto himself, according to the good pleasure of his will.”
Planned (“predestinated”) our adoption in eternity past.
Adoption in this world is complex, detailed, costly.
More so this adoption. He arranged for the cost (Calvary)/ a home (church)/ food (Word)/ guidance/ education (ministry)/ time and attention (hears our prayers and sighs)/ provided for retirement (the 'many mansions').
Every child was planned for, every life mapped out. What a privilege!

His “eternal purpose [plan]” is why the world is still here.
The mighty purpose of God is being worked out. Once accomplished, God will end the world.
Our daily work or study is infinitely less important than God's plans.

IRRESISTIBLE GRACE
Perhaps better named the ‘Effectual Call’, as in BCF.
In the NT “effectually” = powerfully (Gk ‘energy’), successfully, effectively, always works.
Everything is planned (election), the cost paid at Calvary (atonement). So all is ready.
But nobody will listen! Not interested, obstinate, deaf, like dead people. Total depravity. Deep seated.
Not even Christ's miracles brought people to conversion.
Much less can a preacher change that stubborn will in one unbeliever – every heart is like a Fort Royal.
So God must now call each sinner.
Romans 8.30 “Whom he did predestinate, them he also called…”
2 Thessalonians 2.13-14 “God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation…whereunto he called you by our gospel.”
Christ taught that God must draw sinners to Himself.
John 6.44, 65 “No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw [Gk drag] him.”
Paul in Ephesians 1.10 says God will “gather together in one all things in Christ” – the elect.
God’s effectual calling is profound and powerful in lives.

It releases the stranglehold of total depravity – all departments of our being:
Mind: Acts 26.18 Paul was sent to the Gentiles “to open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light.”
Heart: Ezekiel 36.26 “A new heart will I give you…I will take away the stony heart.”
Will: Psalm 110.3 “Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power.”
Conscience: made active again.

So profound an effect that Paul says we are raised from the dead. Ephesians 2.5 “Even when we were dead in sins, [he] hath quickened us [brought us to life] together.”
We see this happen: a person convicted, has to come to the Gospel service. It is irresistible.

IS THE WILL FORCED?
Are we dragged against our will? Often a struggle within, but we have to find forgiveness. Divided will.
For the first time our wills are being freed from captivity to sin, Satan, the world.
Before my will was obstinate and determined; now I am released from the inevitable consequence.
Colossians 1.13 “Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness…”         
Once “the servant of sin” but now “ye shall be free indeed” (John 8.34-36)

BCF 10.1 “He [the Spirit] effectually draws them to Jesus Christ, yet in such a way that they come absolute freely, being made willing by his grace.” 

The Song of Solomon compares it to falling in love. The romance of conversion.
He drew me, and I followed on,
Charmed to confess the voice divine.
Only God can do this. For each sinner, this is the final stage in God’s scheme for conversion.

We were dead in sins (depravity), so God planned our salvation (election), paid for us (atonement), and now makes us His own (calls).
The Holy Spirit was part of the Counsel of Eternity – His role to bring us to life, “born of the Spirit”.

Hymn 478
Father, Son and Holy Spirit
Joined, the coming Son to ordain.

TWO CALLS
How does God call? One of our earlier texts: 2 Thessalonians 2.13-14 “God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation…whereunto he called you by our gospel.”

External call by Gospel: preaching, witness, reading the Word.
       Many hear the external Gospel call – but reject it or turn out to be ‘stony ground’ hearers.
They are not effectually drawn by God – no internal call. Romans 8.30 “Whom he did predestinate, them he also called…”
Answer His call: “Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden.”
Witness to all.

SALVATION IS GOD’S WORK
Conversion isn’t just me saying ‘Yes to Jesus’.
It is the work of God from beginning to end.
It is a complex process; planned, costly, detailed, life-giving, supernatural.
That is why salvation is 100% secure.