The Heart of the Gospel - Pt 10

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. (Epheisians 1:3-6 ESV).

The Apostle Paul is very clear in our reading today; however, in order to fully understand irresistible grace we must look into the Gospel of John as well. Jesus says, “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him” (John 6:44). There is no doubt that this drawing is the sovereign work of grace without which none of us will be saved from our rebellion against God. However, some may object, “He draws all men, not just some.” Then they may quote from the twelfth chapter of John, “And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself” (John 12:32). But there are several serious problems with this objection. One is that the word translated “all people” is simply “all” (Greek pantas). There is no word for “people” in this text. Jesus simply says: “When I am lifted up, I will draw all to myself.” When we see that we have to ask from similar contexts in John what this “all” probably refers to. One similar context is in the previous chapter. Caiaphas the high priest is speaking more truly than he knows, John says, “Nor do you understand that it is better for you that one man should die for the people, not that the whole nation should perish” (John 11:50). These last words describe the scope of Jesus’ death as John presents it in this Gospel. Jesus died not just for one ethnic group, but “to gather into one the children of God who are scattered abroad” — all of them. This is a reference to Gentiles whom God will effectively draw to himself when they hear the gospel. They are called “children of God” because God has chosen them to be adopted. Then the all is not all human beings, but “all the children of God.” Or you could say, “I will draw all of my sheep,” because Jesus says, “I lay down my life for the sheep” — all of them (John 10:15). There are many other passages that underscore this approach to interpreting the unfortunate English translation adding “people” as the object of the modifier “all.” However, we must get back to the impact of this truth. It is so easy to simply say “so what?” Well, if it is a work rooted in our will then we have no assurance that we can maintain this position in redemption. That’s terrifying to me. I am much more assured and hopeful when I realize that it is God who holds me, not the reverse. Rest in that truth!