OUTLINE:
Gill on Jn 6:29
“Jesus answered and said unto them, this is the work of God,… The main and principal one, and which is well pleasing in his sight; and without which it is impossible to please him; and without which no work whatever is a good work; and this is of the operation of God, which he himself works in men; it is not of themselves, it is the pure gift of God.”
MacArthur on Jn 6:40
“This verse emphasizes human responsibility in salvation…Intellectually harmonizing the sovereignty of God and the responsibility of man is impossible humanly, but perfectly resolved in the infinite mind of God.”
Have Faith
It’s perfectly “normal” to start out perplexed about God’s elective decree, just don’t despair over it. Instead, pray for faith (Lk 17:5) and be set free by the Truth (Jn 8:32).
Balance Statement
Not once have I stated from this pulpit that man is somehow not responsible to God to believe. Holy Scripture says he most certainly is if he’s ever going to be saved! The same Holy Scripture states that it is God’s sovereign choice to save whomever He chooses!
Receive This Truth by Faith
– Jn 6:44 No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him.[salvation is a work of God] And I will raise him up on the last day.
– Jn 6:47 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life. [God holds man responsible for his belief/unbelief]
Context is Key – 10/29/21 blog
In 2Co 5:19, the word “world” is used to communicate “without distinction”, meaning God was reconciling people from all walks of life (all types, e.g., Jews or Gentiles alike) to himself through Christ. It does not mean every last person (that would imply He saves everyone without exception).
The Nature of Creatures
Creatures have an irresistible urge to do whatever they are naturally inclined to do.
Jn 6:63
It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.
Man’s Perversion of God’s Grace
Man, in his fleshly desire for control, supposes (wrongly) that he is able to seize God’s grace (as he would any object) and then USE it as a means to his own ends, even supposing he can put God to task with it!
Grace Is Not Man’s “Whip”
God is not obligated to man for anything, certainly not salvation! Regarding grace, specifically, this means fallen man cannot demand His grace by performing so-called “good works”.
Grace is not a slave to what man thinks is “fair”.
So-Called “Free Will”
When a slave cannot understand their master’s plan, they are tempted to “fill in the blanks” because they lack faith. For example, how do we reconcile God’s decree with man’s personal responsibility to God? The better question is, are we supposed to fully understand, outside of faith?
Instead of Seeking Theology…
Seek:
– Context (e.g., we are born spiritually dead)
– Truth (e.g., only God can save us)
– Understanding (e.g., God chooses to save some and passes over others)
What is salvation?
– Hebrew yesha (root for Joshua & Jesus) – refers to freedom from something binding/restricting deliverance
– Greek soteria – means deliverance, preservation, safety, salvation; to cure, to rescue
Man- vs. God-Centered Salvation
– A man-centered salvation places man’s will (aka, his idol, “free will”) as the sovereign, determining factor in its “gospel”.
– A God-centered salvation places God’s will (equipped with His free will) as the sovereign, determining factor in its Gospel.
Man’s Perversion of God’s Grace
Man, in his fleshly desire for control, supposes (wrongly) that he is able to seize God’s grace (as he would any object) and then USE it as a means to his own ends, even supposing he can put God to task with it!