| “All that the Father gives me will come to me,and whoever comes to me I will never drive away… I will lose none of all that he has given me.” |
| —John 6:37, 39 |
I remember watching a video of children taking a psychological test. This test examined whether or not the children could withstand the temptation of simple marshmallows.
Each child would sit a table with a bowl of marshmallows immediately in front of them. An adult would explain to the child that she had to leave the room for a moment. She asked the child not to touch the marshmallows until she got back. A hidden camera captured the reactions of each of several children who took the test.
Some children ably resisted. Others played with a marshmallow and put it back. And still others, after looking around, quickly popped one into their mouths. For these last children, the yummy treat proved simply irresistible.
The Reformed Protestant faith believes in the term, “Irresistible Grace.” The belief states that God gives those He has chosen for salvation a very special grace to discover His call on their lives. That special grace irresistibly draws them to God. As the Holy Spirit interacts with the ones God has called, each chosen one responds willingly in faith to the irresistible draw of God’s grace.
Verse 44 of the same chapter of John, which I quoted from at the top of this blog post, tells us that:
No one can come to me [Jesus] unless the Father who sent me draws him.
Likewise, in John 15:16 Jesus said:
You did not choose me, but I chose you.
God’s love and grace powerfully call people to Himself.
Perhaps you wonder if He has chosen you for eternal life through Christ. If you show any interest at all in the things of God, have a curious longing to know Him better, or even think often of knowing Him, God is most likely drawing you to Himself by means of His irresistible grace.
Find a place to be alone with Him. As simply as you would talk to another person, share with Him your doubts, questions, and longings. Invite Him to come and live in your heart and mind. Read His written Word and start with the passages I have mentioned in this devotional.
This could very well begin a wonderful, life-changing journey for you. God loves you and He is irresistibly drawing you toward His grace and love.
