I Can Do Nothing!!!

When I was a kid I used to watch the sitcom called “Hogan's Heroes.” The sitcom was about a group of men that were prisoners of war in a world war II German prison camp. One of my favorite characters was Sargent Schultz. Schultz was constantly encountering evidence that inmates of his prison camp were actively conducting anti-German espionage and sabotage activities. He frequently feigned ignorance with the catchphrase, "I see nothing! I hear nothing! I know nothing!" No matter what Sargent Schultz did the prisoners seemed to have their way and accomplish whatever they wanted. This reminds me of God's irresistible grace. What is irresistible grace you ask? Irresistible grace is the doctrine that says God's grace and salvation cannot be resisted. When God determines to save a man, that man is saved! Neither that man himself nor the devil, nor the wicked world are able to prevent his salvation. Nothing can stand in the way of God's saving purpose. 

John 6: 44 ESV No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day. 

Simply put, the doctrine of irresistible grace refers to the biblical truth that whatever God decrees to happen, will come to pass,... even the salvation of individuals. Why does one person believe the gospel and another doesn't? Is it because one person is smarter, has better reasoning capabilities or possesses some other characteristic that allows him to realize the importance of the gospel message? Or is it because God does something unique in the lives of those whom He saves? If it is because of what the person who believes does, then in a sense he is responsible for his salvation and has a reason to boast. However, if the difference is solely that God does something unique in the hearts and lives of those who believe in Him and are saved, then there is no ground for boasting and salvation is truly a gift of grace.

Ephesians 2: 8-9 ESV For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 

Of course, the biblical answer to this question is that the Holy Spirit does do something unique in the hearts of those who are saved. To help me better comprehend “Irresistible Grace” and remember this concept I use the acronym, TULIP. TULIP stands for "Total Depravity, Unconditional Election, Limited Atonement, Irresistible Grace, and Perseverance of the Saints. T or Total Depravity is the belief that humans are completely corrupted by sin. U is Unconditional Election, God chooses certain individuals for salvation without any merit or action on their. L is Limited Atonement, Jesus' death only atoned for the sins of those God has chosen to save. I is Irresistible Grace, When God extends grace to someone, they cannot resist it. P is Perseverance of the Saints, once saved, a person will remain saved and cannot lose their salvation. The doctrine of irresistible grace recognizes that the Bible describes natural man as “dead in his trespasses and sins.” Because man is spiritually dead, he must first be made alive or regenerated in order to understand and respond to the gospel message. The heart of irresistible grace is the transforming power of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit takes a man dead in his trespasses and sins and gives him spiritual life so that he can recognize the unsurpassing value of God’s offer of salvation. Is there any hope for Christians without this doctrine? If it were up to the Christian to become saved, we would never be able to do it. You know yourself!!!! There is no power in me apart from God's grace. I see nothing! I hear nothing! I know nothing, I can do nothing on my own!!!