The Heart of the Gospel - Pt 17

At that time the Feast of Dedication took place at Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the colonnade of Solomon. So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.” Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father's name bear witness about me, but you do not believe because you are not among my sheep. (John 10:22-26 ESV).

When does that “new” puppy become your puppy? If you have ever been to pick out your new puppy you know that all of them want to go home with you. They simply want out of where they are at the moment. However, when you choose one and take it home, you give it a new name and begin to treat it as your own. You have chosen it over all the others. It isn’t long until that puppy has believed in you as they caregiver and owner. In a similar way we have been chosen by God and then become faithful. This is the root of our fourth principle in the study of the Heart of the Gospel. It is best known as “Unconditional Election.” If all of us are so depraved that we cannot come to God without being born again by the irresistible grace of God, and if this particular grace is purchased by Christ on the cross, then it is clear that the salvation of any of us is owing to God’s election. He chose those to whom he would show such irresistible grace, and for whom he would purchase it. Election refers to God’s choosing whom to save. It is unconditional in that there is no condition man must meet before God chooses to save him. Man is dead in trespasses and sins. So there is no condition he can meet before God chooses to save him from his deadness. This does not mean that final salvation is unconditional. It is not. We must meet the condition of faith in Christ in order to inherit eternal life. But faith is not a condition for election. It is just the reverse. Election is a condition for faith. It is because God chose us before the foundation of the world that he purchases our redemption at the cross, and then gives us spiritual life through irresistible grace, and brings us to faith. This is the point at which many become uncomfortable. However, as our reading today makes the point, belief in Christ only comes to those who are “among His sheep.” We don’t join the flock; He chooses us and places us in it. We’re going to see later why this is so essential. Today let me simply say that it is the foundation for our peace and joy in the midst of every circumstance of life, good or bad (cf. Romans 8:31-39). This is the basis for our confidence that nothing can separate us from God’s love. That has been important to me on more than one occasion. Usually it’s when I feel most vulnerable after some specific failure or difficulty. That’s when it most important for me to know that nothing I do or don’t do is the basis for God’s love and forgiveness.