What’s So Great About the Doctrines of Grace? Effectual Grace

Beloved Kinney,

We’re continuing to reflect on what is called “The Doctrines of Grace.” These doctrines
essentially teach that salvation is a work of God from beginning to end. We’ve
considered the doctrine of total depravity, which teaches that, apart from the intervening
work of the Holy Spirit, we are so tainted by sin that we are unable to come to God on
our own.

The doctrine of unconditional election teaches that God, in his kind and sovereign plan,
chose us to be saved even before we were born. And his choice was not based on
anything foreseen in us, but solely on the basis of his sovereign grace.

The doctrine of particular redemption teaches that, those whom God chose, he also
sent his Son to die for. Jesus was on a mission to save the ones whom the Father gave
him to save. And Jesus accomplished that mission. None will be lost whom he died for!

Now, let’s briefly reflect on the fourth doctrine of grace called effectual grace.
Sometimes this doctrine is referred to as “irresistible grace,” but that term can be
confusing. Effectual grace teaches that when God, in time, intends to save those whom
he chose and those for whom Christ died, he does so effectually.

Listen to how Jesus puts it in John 6:44, “No one can come to me unless the Father
who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.” Notice how the
“drawing” of the Father is effectual. Why do people come to Jesus? Only because the
Father draws them.

Does this mean that the Father draws everyone but some just resist that drawing? It
can’t mean that because Jesus says those whom the Father draws will come. How do
we know that those whom the Father draws will come? Because those whom he draws
he will raise up on the last day.

Remember this: the decisive reason why you came to Christ and believed in him was
because the Father effectually drew you to Christ. You would never have come if
coming was left up to you!

Praise God for his effectual grace!

Love,
Pastor Josh