
Grace to You: Radio Podcast The Doctrine of Absolute Inability A
Jan 15, 2026
Join John MacArthur, a renowned pastor-teacher and Bible expositor, as he explores the profound concept of absolute inability in salvation. He discusses how Scripture should guide our doctrines instead of human reason, and connects perseverance to divine election. MacArthur uses the raising of Lazarus as a powerful analogy for regeneration, illustrating humanity's total inability without God's intervention. Delve into the distinction between human kindness and the spiritual good that pleases God, highlighting that true regeneration is solely initiated by the divine.
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Dead Soul Cannot Respond Without God
- Spiritual deadness is absolute and prevents any genuine response to God without divine intervention.
- John MacArthur compares this to Lazarus obeying Jesus only after Christ gave him life.
Lazarus Story Illustrates Spiritual Resurrection
- John MacArthur recounts the Lazarus story to illustrate a dead man responding only after Christ's command and empowerment.
- He emphasizes the crowd's expectation that Jesus could heal but not necessarily raise the dead until Christ acted.
Ephesians Declares Universal Spiritual Death
- Ephesians 2 presents all people as dead in trespasses and sins, utterly unable to relate to God.
- Therefore salvation is initiated and executed by God, who makes the dead alive and gives faith as a gift.

















