Saturday, November 23, 2013

Flip Sides of Salvation



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].