Not to steal Joey's thunder...but my friends and I have also been studying Irresistable Grace...or as it is sometimes called the Effectual Call of the Spirit. Jesus' conversation with Nicodemus gives us some insight as to irresistable grace.
John 3:1-15 Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” 3 Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
9 Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” 10 Jesus answered him, “Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things? 11 Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen, but you do not receive our testimony. 12 If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things? 13 No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. 14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.
When Nicodemus questioned the idea of being born again--regenerated, Jesus did not say, "Now Lazarus, here is what you need to do in order to be born again." Jesus never said that regeneration depends on man doing something. Instead he used an earthly story to make known a spiritual reality, namely, that regeneration is a work of the Spirit alone. Our being born again is something that God does in us that enables us to believe in Christ with the faith that He gives. What wonderful grace it is!
Now to be certain, Jesus did not leave Nicodemus hanging. He didn't say, "Hey, Nick, since there is nothing you can do about regeneration, you might as well forget about it." That is not what Jesus did. Although the inward call of God's grace is unaided by man, Jesus still gave Nicodemus the outward call to believe the gospel (vs. 14-15). That outward call needs to be presented to everyone, knowing that only the inward call of the Spirit can bring life to the dead individual. So if you have a book titled, "How To Be Born Again," you may need to throw it away.
Go and share the gospel. You never know when God's grace may overcome someone's unbelief. This morning I had the privilege of giving the outward call to a young lady at work. We spent forty-five mintues in conversation and she heard the outward call. I started with God's intent in creating mankind, moved to the fall, talked about the Law, explained God's holiness, justice and judgment, then went on to share God's love, mercy and grace demonstrated in the incarnation, Christ's perfect obedience, His suffering, death, burial, resurrection and the great act of imputation. While sharing the gospel I was praying for God's grace to break through. I told her that she needed to repent of her sin and believe in Christ who suffered, died and rose again on her behalf. Excited and nervous, I asked her if she understood and believed what I had just told her. She said she did. Only God knows and time may tell if regeneration actually took place. I pray and expect to see spiritual fruit and sanctification take place if God has truly worked a miracle. I instructed her in baptism and invited her to church this Sunday. She said she wants to be there. Please pray for her.
May God grant us the privilege of seeing His awesome grace break through to stony hearts.
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