"You stiff-necked people"

“You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you.” (Acts 7:51)

If we are God’s elect, do we have the choice to come to Him on our own? This question recently came to light after hearing a pastor use the word choice related to salvation. In the Book of Acts, Steven spoke these words to the Pharisees before he was stoned, becoming the first martyr for Christ.

Can we choose salvation if our name is in the Book of Life of the Lamb who was slain (Rev 13:8)? We can certainly choose to reject Christ, and, maybe for a time, ignore His call. However, in John 6:44, Jesus says, “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.” The Greek word for draw is ἕλκω (Strong’s 1670), helkó, meaning to drag. This word is also similar in that Strong’s notes, helko hel'-ko; probably related to haireomai; means to drag (literally or figuratively) Strong's 138). Interesting, we must be drawn to God.

There are actually two calls to Christ that need to be looked at in this question of choice. First, there is the gospel call in which one hears the gospel. Paul told us there is no faith without hearing the gospel (Romans 10:17). This call is one we can choose to ignore. To bring a sinner to salvation, God must extend an inward invitation. Paul tells us this in Romans 8:30, “And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.” This effectual calling cannot be ignored because it originates as irresistible grace. If you are familiar with John Calvin, you know this as the “I” in the Tulip acronym. We see this in Galatians 1:15-16, where Paul spoke of his calling, but when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son to me.” Paul could not refuse to follow Christ. Pray believing in Christ and ask for salvation, repenting of your sins, and God will answer your call.

The Westminster Confession (10.1) essentially states that God does not save us against our will. God does so by “renewing their wills . . . so as they come most freely, being made willing by his grace.” The Canon of Dort (Head III–IV, Art. 11) says that it is the Holy Spirit that enters us, making us “obedient and pliable.” It is the overwhelming, insurmountable love of God that we cannot resist. The same love that continues to fill us in sanctification with a desire and need for the love of God.

What we must remember is this love comes at an enormous cost, and we and our salvation were purchased by God through the perfect propitiation of Christ Jesus on that cross. We may resist the gospel calling to our ears; it may take many seeds to be planted, but when the irresistible grace of God calls you, you will come. Not as a hostage and not by force, but because the Father made you His child before you were ever created. Jesus said, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand (Matthew 10:27-28).

Have you heard the gospel and turned your back on Christ? Do you find you have an irresistible urge to know Christ? Seek Him now and know more love than you could ever imagine.

Grace and Peace.