Introduction:

Some of God’s ways we will never understand as fully as others, for “the secret things belong to the Lord” (Deut. 29:29).  (Isaiah 55:9) tells us that God’s ways are higher than man’s ways. And that is certainly true when it comes to the doctrine of election.  In (Ephesians 1:4–6) Paul writes, “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 to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace.”  Those verses reveal the past aspect of God’s eternal plan of salvation.

The Believer Has Great Assurance And Security.

#6 - 10minitues

A.     The Assurance of the Believer. 

1.       The First Assurance For The Believer Is God’s Predestination (v.37).

a)        Jesus said, “All That the Father Gives Me Will Come To Me”—A person cannot be saved unless he comes to Jesus; he cannot come to Jesus unless he is given to Jesus by the Father
(John 6:39,45; 17:2, 6, 8, 9, 11, 24; 10:29; 6:44). 

1)                      It Is God Himself Who Has Drawn Believers To Come To Christ (John 6:44). 
The person who comes to Christ is a person who has been drawn by God, a person who has experienced the divine initiative.

No human being can possibly come to Christ unless something happens that makes it possible for him to come. Why? 

1.         Man is totally depraved & Spiritually dead (Eph.2:1-3)  

2.         All are sinners (Romans 3:23) and unable by human performance to earn, deserve, or merit salvation: “But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us” (Titus 3:5).

3.         The wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23), and that apart from God's grace, no one can be saved (Ephesians 2:8-9).

4.         None are righteous, or capable of doing good (Romans 3:10-12),  And that apart from the conviction and regeneration of the Holy Spirit, none can be saved (John 1:12-13; 16:8-11; I Peter 1:23-25). Mankind is clearly fallen and lost in sin.

2)        “It Has Been Granted To Him By The Father” (John 6:65). 

Jesus Is Saying Here That The Ability To Come To Him Is A Gift From God. It is impossible for anyone to come to Christ without the enabling call of God. The sinner’s moral inability to choose Christ must be overcome by the gracious and sovereign power of the Spirit (3:5–21).  Man does not have the ability in and of himself to come to Christ. God must do something first.

1.         Helkuoµ (draws) carries the idea of an force.  Salvage yards use giant electromagnets to lift and partially sort scrap metal. When the magnet is turned on, a tremendous magnetic force draws all the ferrous metals that are near it, but has no effect on other metals such as aluminum and brass.

2.         Every person who comes to Jesus Christ for salvation has been sent to Him through the divine initiative of God the Father (John 6:37).  The only person, therefore, who seeks God is the person who has responded positively to God’s seeking him.

Does The New Testament Teach Predestination?

Acts 13:48; Romans 8:28-30; 1 Thess.1:4-5; 2 Thess. 2:13; 1 Pet.1:1; 2:9; Rev.13:7-8; 17:8

2.       The Time—Eternity Past (Eph.1:4-6)

a)        God Elected Us Before The Foundation Of The World—Eklegoµ (chose) is here in the aorist tense and the middle voice, indicating God’s totally independent choice. Because the verb is reflexive it signifies that God not only chose by Himself but for Himself. His primary purpose in electing the church was the praise of His own glory (vv. 6, 12, 14). Believers were chosen for the Lord’s glory before they were chosen for their own good.

1)        Israel Was God’s Elect, His “chosen one” (Isa. 45:4; cf. 65:9, 22). But she was told, “The Lord did not set His love on you nor choose you because you were more in number than any of the peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples, but because the Lord loved you” (Deut. 7:7–8). God chose the Jews simply out of His sovereign love.

2)        By God’s Sovereign Election, Those Who Are Saved Were Placed In Eternal Union With Christ before creation even took place.  The Apostle Peter declared that we were redeemed “with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ. For He was foreknown before the foundation of the world”  (1 Peter 1:19–20). Just as Christ’s crucifixion was planned out before the world began, so we were designated for salvation by that same plan at that same time.

3)        Paul’s Heart’s Desire Was To Reach The Elect, The Ones Who Were Already Chosen, in order that they might take hold of the faith already granted them in God’s sovereign decree (2Tim.2:10).

4)        God Gave Us Grace In Christ Jesus Ages Ago (2Tim.1:9)

5)        It Was Then That Our Inheritance In God’s Kingdom Was Determined (Matt. 25:34).

6)        Our Names Were “Written From The Foundation Of The World In The Book Of Life Of The Lamb Who Has Been Slain” (Rev. 13:8).

b)         Election Alone Does Not Result In The Salvation Of People.

To be sure that election assures that those chosen will be saved, but it alone does not save them.  People are saved through faith in the substitutionary death of Christ.  And, of course they must learn about the death of Christ somehow in order to have content to their faith.  Thus, election, the death of Christ, testimony of His death, and personal faith are all necessary in the salvation of an individual.  Election alone does not save.

1.         Divine sovereignty and human responsibility are integral and inseparable realities of salvation—though exactly how they operate together only the infinite mind of God knows.

2)        There is a predestination thread that runs throughout John’s gospel. Things are controlled and happen as God means them to happen. The purpose of God is being done. He is God; therefore, He rules and controls all things (cp. John 1:12-13; John 6:37; John 6:44-46; John 10:26; John 16:8).

(John 6:65; 2Thess.2:13-14)

    “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand” (John 10:27-29).

    “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified” (Romans 8:28-30).

    “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time” (1 Peter 1:3-5).

2. (6:37) Assurance—Security: the second assurance for the believer is Jesus’ Word. Note the enormous security given to the believer.

       1.    Jesus clearly said that any man who comes to Him will “in no wise” be cast out. This is a double negative, a strong, forceful promise: “Never, no never be cast out.”

       2.    Jesus was claiming the authority to accept and reject men (cp. Matthew 8:12; Matthew 22:13). He accepts the person who comes to Him, the person who turns from the world and the flesh to Him.

       The point is simply this. Jesus gives His Word: “Him that cometh to me I will never, no never cast out.” The believer’s assurance and security are as good as Jesus’ Word. If Jesus is who He claimed to be, “the Bread of Life,” then the person who comes to Him for spiritual nourishment can rest assured that...

·    Jesus will receive him into God’s household.

·    Jesus will feed, nourish, satisfy, and fill him.

·    Jesus will not cast him out.

·    Jesus will keep His Word with every generation of people.

       “For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled” (Matthew 5:18).

       “Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away” (Luke 21:33).

       “The works of his hands are verity and judgment; all his commandments are sure” (Psalm 111:7).

       “For I am the LORD: I will speak, and the word that I shall speak shall come to pass” (Ezekiel 12:25).

3. (6:38) Assurance—God, Will of: the third assurance for the believer is Jesus’ purpose. He came to do God’s will. Note two points.

       1.    Jesus declared His origin: He came down out of heaven (see Deeper Study #1—John 3:31).

       2.    Jesus came not to do His own will, but the will of God.

a.  Jesus had a mind and a will distinct and separate from the Father’s. He could will and act separately from God. In Gethsemane He prayed, “Not my will, but thine be done” (Matthew 26:39). He actually willed something different from God. He willed the cup to be removed, for some way other than the cross to be chosen for man’s salvation. Jesus had a distinct, separate will from God.

b.  Christ subjected His will to God’s will. He fought and struggled to control His mind and will, to do exactly as God willed, and He conquered His will. He always succeeded. In every instance He subjected Himself totally to God. He always did what God willed—perfectly.

       “But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do” (John 14:31).

       “I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love” (John 15:10).

       “For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous” (Romans 5:19).

       “Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second” (Hebrews 10:9).

       “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him” (2 Cor. 5:21).

       “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:15).

       “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot” (1 Peter 1:18-19).

       The believer’s assurance is Jesus’ purpose. He set out to do God’s will and He did it perfectly. The believer can rest assured—Jesus is the full revelation of God. Jesus revealed God perfectly. What Jesus did—everything He did—is a picture of the perfect will of God. Man can come to Jesus for spiritual food and nourishment and know that He is coming to God.

    “For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak” (John 12:49).

    “He that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Show us the Father? Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works” (John 14:9-10).

    “For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me” (John 17:8).

4. (6:39) Assurance—Predestination: the fourth assurance is God’s will for those whom He gives to Christ. Note: the fact that God sent Christ is stressed again (John 6:38). Note also that Jesus calls God His “Father.” This stresses the love and care of God. God’s will is like the will of a father for His children. He wills only good and loving things.

       1.    God wills to give some followers to His Son: “All which He hath given me.” This has to do with predestination, but in the sense covered before (John 6:37; 10:29). God wills that His Son Jesus be the first, that is, the most preeminent Person among many brothers. Jesus is to have many brothers and sisters (see note—§ Romans 8:29). The follower of Jesus can rest assured that he is chosen by God to follow Jesus; therefore, he will not be lost, not ever.

       2.    God wills that Jesus should lose nothing. The words “I should lose nothing” (me apoleso ex autou) mean that He will not lose anything, not even a fragment, not any part of what God has given to Him. No person, not a single one, will be lost.

       It was true while He was on earth: He lost none (John 17:12). It will also be true of every believer throughout history.

    “And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are” (John 17:11).

    “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Phil. 1:6).

    “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:6-7).

    “But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil” (2 Thes. 3:3).

    “For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day” (2 Tim. 1:12).

    “And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom; to whom be glory for ever and ever” (2 Tim. 4:18).

    “Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy” (Jude 24).

    “Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth” (Rev. 3:10).

    “O love the Lord, all ye his saints: for the Lord preserveth the faithful, and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer” (Psalm 31:23).

    “For the Lord loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off” (Psalm 37:28).

    “He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of his saints” (Proverbs 2:8).

    “Thus saith the LORD, In an acceptable time have I heard thee, and in a day of salvation have I helped thee: and I will preserve thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, to establish the earth, to cause to inherit the desolate heritages” (Isaiah 49:8).

       3.    God wills a most wonderful thing: Jesus shall save every true believer through all, even up until the final hour of the very last day—the day of the resurrection. The Lord’s salvation is complete, ultimate, and final. No matter the trials, the heartaches, the hurts, the attacks of the enemy and the evil persecutors, Christ will save His dear follower through all; and He will raise him up at the last day. The genuine believer is assured and secure in the will of God. God wills that His Son lose no one—that each one will be saved through all circumstances—saved right up to the point of being raised up at the last day.

5. (6:40) Assurance—God, Will of: the fifth assurance is God’s will for the believer. This verse also concerns God’s will, but it differs from the former point in that it centers upon those who see and believe on Jesus. In the former verse the stress is upon God choosing those who come to Christ, whereas in this verse, the stress is upon man choosing Christ. Both are necessary steps in salvation as already discussed (John 6:37. See note—§ John 6:44-46.)

       A person must “see” (behold, grasp) and believe Jesus... Deut.30.19-21

·    that God “sent” Him to spiritually feed and nourish man (to save and to give life).

·    that He is “the Son,” the Savior of the world.

       1.    God wills that a person who sees and believes Jesus should have eternal life (see Deeper Study #2—John 2:24; Deeper Study #1—John 10:10; Deeper Study #1—John 17:2-3,6,8,9,11,12,24).

       2.    The result of seeing and believing Jesus is being raised up from the dead. Jesus said very emphatically, “I will raise him up at the last day.” “I” is emphatic. Jesus and no one else can raise the dead, and He will take the person who sees and believes and raise him up. The believer is assured of three very significant things.

a.  The believer is assured of eternal life.

       “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

       “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life” (John 5:24).

b.  The believer is assured of victory over death.

       “In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Cor. 15:52-57).

       “Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; and deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage” (Hebrews 2:14-15).

c.  The believer is assured of the resurrection.

       “Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live. For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; and hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man. Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation” (John 5:25-29; cp. John 11:25).

       “And [I, Paul] have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust” (Acts 24:15).

       “Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you” (2 Cor. 4:14).

       “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first” (1 Thes. 4:16).