Efficacious grace refers to the grace of God that effectively brings about the salvation of a person. It is the grace that actually saves a person, as opposed to ‘sufficient’ grace which is given to all but does not guarantee salvation. The doctrine of efficacious grace states that when God chooses to save someone, He provides the grace that will actually lead that person to saving faith and repentance.
Efficacious grace in Scripture
While the term ‘efficacious grace’ is not explicitly used in Scripture, the concept is very much present. Here are some key biblical passages that point to the reality of efficacious grace:
John 6:37 – “All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out.” This verse indicates that all those given by the Father to the Son will come to faith in Christ. God’s giving ensures their coming.
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.” Salvation requires God’s drawing/enabling grace which effectively results in someone coming to Christ.
Acts 13:48 – “And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed.” Their belief was contingent on God’s election and appointment, not simply an offered possibility.
Ephesians 2:8-9 – “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Saving faith is a gift from God, not something we conjure up on our own.
Philippians 1:29 – “For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should…believe in him.” Belief in Christ is described as something ‘granted’ by God, meaning it requires His enablement.
1 Peter 1:3 – “According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” Our new spiritual birth is ’caused’ by God’s mercy and grace.
These and other verses point to the reality that when God saves someone, He provides the grace that actually secures that salvation. Salvation is not just a possibility offered to all people – it is brought about by God’s efficacious grace.
How efficacious grace relates to other doctrines
The doctrine of efficacious grace relates directly to several other important theological beliefs:
Unconditional election – If God chooses unconditionally who will be saved (election), then His grace that brings about that salvation must be efficacious and certain or else election would fail. The certainty of election implies the certainty of efficacious grace.
Irresistible grace – This is the doctrine that saving grace cannot be successfully resisted. That is because it is God’s efficacious grace that effectively accomplishes what He intends. When God intends to save someone, His grace cannot ultimately be thwarted.
Perseverance of the saints – If grace were not efficacious, then it could not guarantee someone’s perseverance in faith until the end. God’s efficacious grace ensures that His elect will persevere all the way to final salvation.
Sovereignty of God – God’s sovereignty in salvation requires that His grace is effective in saving those He chooses to save. Efficacious grace is an outworking of His sovereignty over salvation.
Objections to efficacious grace
Some objections that have been raised concerning efficacious grace include:
It is fatalistic – Some argue this doctrine portrays people as passive in salvation and Diminishes human responsibility. But the Bible still issues commands to repent and believe, so humans are responsible to obey. Salvation involves God’s sovereignty and human responsibility.
It is illogical – Some claim it is illogical for grace to be both resistible and irresistible. But sufficient grace that enables sinful humans to respond to the gospel is different from efficacious grace that effectively saves God’s elect. So no contradiction exists.
It wrongly promotes election – Since efficacious grace is linked to election, some reject it based on their dislike of the doctrine of election. But if one accepts election as biblical, efficacious grace is a corollary of that doctrine.
It leads to pride – Some argue this doctrine can lead to spiritual pride if believers feel special for receiving efficacious grace. But true understanding should humble believers realizing salvation is wholly by God’s grace.
In response, the doctrine is meant to exalt God’s grace not believers. Rightly understood, it should lead to worshipping God for one’s salvation.
Why efficacious grace matters
Understanding efficacious grace is important for several reasons:
1) It exalts God’s sovereign grace in salvation. He alone deserves all praise and glory.
2) It humbles believers who contribute nothing to earning salvation.
3) It provides assurance of salvation since God secures it by His grace.
4) It encourages evangelism and prayer, since it is God who effectively draws people to Himself.
5) It fosters worship and gratitude to God for the amazing grace that saved a wretch like me.
Efficacious grace upholds God’s sovereignty in salvation, while still allowing meaningful human responsibility. This important biblical doctrine magnifies the wonder of God’s amazing grace.
Efficacious grace in Reformed theology
The doctrine of efficacious grace is most closely associated with Calvinism and Reformed theology. Key voices include:
Augustine – He stressed that regenerating grace grants what God’s commandments require. Salvation is God’s work in humans.
John Calvin – Stressed irresistible grace that God omnipotently dispenses for the elect to effectually call them to Himself.
Canons of Dort – These affirmed regeneration precedes and enables faith. God grants what He commands. Salvation is fully His work.
Westminster Confession – Teaches efficacious grace overcomes resistance and infallibly brings people to saving faith. Grace gets all the credit.
Charles Spurgeon – Preached boldly on effectual calling and omnipotent grace that conquers sin and unbelief to redeem God’s elect.
Louis Berkhof – Wrote extensively to defend irresistible grace as that which effectively calls and sanctifies every elect believer despite sinful resistance.
While some aspects of the doctrine have been nuanced, divine monergism in salvation continues to mark Reformed theology, upholding God’s efficacious grace.
Efficacious grace in other traditions
Views of efficacious grace vary across Christian traditions:
Eastern Orthodox – Tend to speak more of God’s grace synergistically cooperating with human effort in an ongoing process.
Roman Catholicism – Historically affirmed regenerating grace that infallibly results in salvation. But rejected irresistibility emphasizing human cooperation.
Arminianism – Denies the inevitability of efficacious grace, arguing prevenient grace only restores free will to enable potential salvation.
Methodism – Wesleyan theology affirms saving grace is necessary for salvation but rejects it as irresistible. Humans can cooperate or resist.
Calvary Chapel – Avoids strong stances on the doctrines of grace while still affirming God’s sovereignty in salvation as well as human responsibility.
So while all Christian traditions affirm God’s grace in salvation, only Reformed theology emphasizes God’s efficacious grace irresistibly securing salvation for the elect alone.
Examples and illustrations
Here are some examples and illustrations that help explain the concept of efficacious grace:
A parent has two children. They offer money to both kids if they will clean their room. One child takes the offer and cleans their room. But the other child refuses to clean. The parent’s offer was sufficient for both but only efficacious for one.
A man throws a rope to two people drowning in the ocean. One person takes the rope and is rescued. The other ignores it and swims away, only to drown. The thrown rope was potentially sufficient to save both but only efficacious for one.
A vaccine is made available to two people exposed to a virus. One person takes the vaccine and their immune system effectively responds to the vaccine leading to immunity. The other person refuses the shot and falls ill. The vaccine was sufficient for both but only efficacious for one.
In the same way, the grace God offers is sufficient to save anyone who believes, but because of human unwillingness only becomes efficacious to save those He unconditionally elects.
Important Bible passages
Here are some key Bible passages related to the doctrine of efficacious grace:
John 6:37-39
John 10:14-16, 27-29
John 15:16
Acts 13:48
Romans 8:28-30
Romans 9:15-18
1 Corinthians 1:26-31
Ephesians 1:3-6
Ephesians 2:1-10
Philippians 2:12-13
2 Timothy 1:8-10
Titus 3:3-7
1 Peter 1:1-3
The beauty of efficacious grace
The doctrine of efficacious grace highlights several beautiful truths:
1. The complete inability of sinful man for salvation apart from divine grace.
2. The glorious freedom and sovereignty of God to have mercy on whom He will.
3. The omnipotent power of God’s grace to effectually overcome all human resistance.
4. The certainty of God’s elect being preserved by grace unto final salvation.
5. The amazing grace that redeems hell-deserving sinners solely by God’s sovereign choice.
These humbling truths lead believers to praise and glorify God for the undeserved gift of wholly gracious salvation. What beauty in God’s efficacious grace!
