Views: 1<\/p>
[Note: <\/strong>This MS is available in larger font on our Brief Articles-1<\/strong> page.]<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The fourth plank in the Calvinistic platform relates to the grace of God and the free will of man. This point flows naturally from the previous one. If man is born in sin, incapable of any good, then his free will has been taken from him to serve God if he chooses. There is no way that he can break the cruel shackles of his total depravity without direct Divine intervention to remake his evil nature and incline it toward God. This Divine grace is irresistible. Such is the teaching of Calvin and his disciples. It is by the doctrine of \u201cirresistible grace\u201d that Calvin implements his doctrine of the predestined elect (Point No. 1 of the 5 points). If God has predetermined the exact names and number of the saved so that it can neither be increased or diminished, then those upon whom God wishes to bestow His grace have no choice or free will in the matter\u2014they must accept. Thus, the doctrine of \u201cirresistible grace\u201d is another false doctrine that was born of a prior false assumption.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 It is incredible that so much of the religious world has gullibly accepted such a patently anti-Scriptural theory as outlined above. Nothing is taught more clearly in the Bible than that man, from the beginning, has been given complete freedom of choice over his own life and destiny. This includes the ability to either accept or refuse every offer of God\u2019s grace or of Satan\u2019s temptations. Adam and Eve were creatures of free will. God said, \u201cDo not eat.\u201d Satan said, \u201cGo ahead.\u201d They made the wrong choice (Gen. 3:1\u20136). Men have always been \u201cfree moral agents,\u201d choosing to serve God and be blessed or to served Satan and be condemned. Otherwise, why the invitations and warnings of Scripture? Jesus said, \u201cHe that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my sayings, hath one that judgeth him\u201d (John 12:48). Such words are vain if it is impossible to resist God. Indeed, if the matter is \u201ccut and dried,\u201d why do we even have the Gospel at all?<\/span><\/p>\n [Note:<\/strong>\u00a0I wrote this article for, and it was published in the \u201cBible Thoughts\u201d Column for the Hood County News<\/em>, Granbury, Texas, July 24, 1977.]<\/span><\/p>\n Attribution:<\/strong> From thescripturecache.com<\/em>; Dub McClish, owner and administrator.<\/span><\/p>\n \n \n \n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Views: 1[Note: This MS is available in larger font on our Brief Articles-1 page.] \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The fourth plank in the Calvinistic platform relates to the grace of God and the free will of man. This point flows naturally from the previous one. If man is…<\/p>\n