Objections to Irresistible Grace

This sermon examines the doctrine of effectual calling as presented in the Westminster Confession of Faith, emphasizing that salvation is entirely the work of God's free grace rather than human foresight or effort. The central argument asserts that regeneration must precede faith, as the natural human state is one of spiritual death and hostility toward God, rendering individuals passive until the Holy Spirit renews their hearts. The teaching addresses three key objections: the role of God's foreknowledge, the salvation of elect infants who cannot respond to the preached Word, and the distinction between those who merely exhibit common operations of the Spirit and those who are truly effectually called. By contrasting the Arminian view of conditional election with the Reformed perspective of unconditional grace, the sermon highlights that God's eternal decree rests solely on His purpose and love, not on anticipated human response. Ultimately, this doctrine provides assurance to believers that their salvation is secure because it is grounded in God's almighty power to draw them to Christ and preserve them until the end.