Resisting grace is a profound theme woven throughout Scripture, highlighting the tension between divine initiative and human response. The Bible teaches that God's grace is freely offered to all, as seen in Ephesians 2:8-9, which emphasizes that salvation is a gift, not a result of works. However, this grace can be met with rejection, as illustrated in John 1:11, where it states, 'He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.' This rejection is not merely passive; it involves an active decision to turn away from the light of Christ, as warned in Hebrews 10:29, where the author speaks of trampling the Son of God underfoot. Convicted sinners, aware of their need for salvation, can still resist this grace, choosing instead to cling to their sin, as depicted in Matthew 23:37, where Jesus laments over Jerusalem's unwillingness to accept Him. The call to embrace grace is urgent, yet the reality of human free will means that many may choose to reject the very salvation offered to them. Thus, understanding the dynamics of resisting grace is crucial for both personal reflection and evangelistic efforts, reminding us of the serious implications of our choices in response to God’s loving invitation.
John R. Rice preaches against the doctrine of 'irresistible grace' in extreme Calvinism, arguing that the Scriptures and human experience show that men do resist the grace of God and the moving of the Holy Spirit. He uses the example of Deacon Stephen confronting the Jewish leaders who resisted the