John 6:37-40, "All
that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in
no wise cast out. (38) For I came down from heaven, not to do mine
own will, but the will of him that sent me.
(39) And this is the Father's
will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose
nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. (40)
And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the
Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up
at the last day.
In this passage we see God's
sovereignty in salvation and man's human responsibility. Both doctrines
co-exist in Scripture and run parallel to heaven and you can't try to intersect
them without nullifying both.
1. God's Sovereignty [v. 37a]. "All that the Father giveth me"
Believers are the Father's love gift to his son and will
come to Christ. Seven times in John 17 believers are referred to as "those
given to the Son by the Father."
This transaction took place in eternity past when we were chosen in Him before the foundation of
the world [Eph 1:4-5; 2 Tim. 1:9; Rev. 13:8; 17:8].
No man can come to the
Father unless the Spirit draws him.
2. Human Responsibility [v. 37b]. "shall come to me; and him
that cometh to me" v. 40 that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth
on him, may have everlasting life.”
This is the human side of salvation- Man the sinner is commanded to repent of his sins and
believe only in Jesus...
Salvation is by grace alone thru faith alone in Christ alone, but not a faith that is
alone. Works demonstrate that faith is real.
Harry Ironside said the gate
approaching heaven will say, "Whosoever Will," and as we past the gate it will say,
"Chosen in Him."
Again, these two doctrines
co-exist and please don't diminish both by denying either- Other examples in Scripture...
Matt. 11:27-28,
"All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the
Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he
to whomsoever the Son will reveal him. (28) Come
unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you
rest.
Acts 2:23,
"Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of
God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and
slain."
3. Eternal Security [v. 37c]. "I will in no wise cast out." v. 39, all which he hath
given me I should lose nothing.”
Believers are eternally
secure and kept by the power of God in His salvation [v. 37c; 39-40].
