Students pay out-of-state tuition at their dream school even though there’s a perfectly good college in town. (Rom. But this "enmity" is not overcome in all-why? In God’s higher rationality, things that we think must be either-or can in reality be both-and. Christ is the One who ought to be here. Let man strive with his Maker as he will, the fact remains that he is nothing more than clay in the Heavenly Potter's hands, and while we know that God will deal justly with His creatures, that the Judge of all the earth will do right, nevertheless, He shapes His vessels for His own purpose and according to His own pleasure. Three times over in this passage reference is made to God's choice, and choice necessarily supposes a selection, the taking of some and the leaving of others. His presence on earth reverses the world's verdict, showing that God has set aside the blasphemous judgment in the palace of Israel's high priest and in the hall of the Roman governor. The fact that the Father did exalt Him to His own right hand, demonstrates that He was innocent of the charges laid against Him; and the proof that the Father has received Him, is the presence now of the Holy Spirit on earth, for Christ has sent Him from the Father (John 16:7)! The Father was concerned about us; the Son shed His blood for us, the Spirit performs His work within us. Let those who would still take issue with what we are advancing weigh carefully the following question-If the death of Christ extends equally to all, how does it become security against a "charge," seeing that all who believe not are "under condemnation"? Going back to my previous cliffhanger, why doesn’t everyone put faith in Christ? Therefore, if God saved the "chief" of sinners, none are excluded because of their depravity. False History of Creationism is Full of Beans, Your People Must Know Jesus: Strategies for Teaching Christology in the Local Church, The Catholic Puritan: John Owen on Eternal Generation, The Bulwark of Trinitarian Theology: Eternal Generation: What it is and what it is not, The Radiance of the Father: The Nicene Creed and the Incarnation, Begotten, Not Made: Eternal generation, the orthodox way to speak of the Son’s perfect life. This moral corruption is handed down to all of Adam’s descendants too. has been "put away," Scripture leaves us in no doubt-it was that of the elect, the "world" (John 1:29) of God's people! So it is today: at the present rates of increase, it will not be long before it is manifested that the Lord has more in despised China who are really His, than He has in the highly favored U.S.A.; more among the uncivilized blacks of Africa, than He has in cultured (?) But this "enmity" of theirs is overcome by the Spirit and He "compels" them to come in. That doesn’t mean they aren’t real choices. Jesus gives another example as He says to false followers, “I never knew you” (Matt. People are the object of God’s foreknowledge. The only reason people believe is because God granted them mercy. Those are both excellent questions, but before we answer them, let’s lay some groundwork first. This interest unfortunately supports astrology, fortune-telling, and other occult activities. 3:12). What God's prescience saw in all men was, love of sin and hatred of Himself. Faith is God's gift, and apart from this gift none would believe. It is upon the words "who gave Himself a ransom for all" we would now comment. . You’d be more inclined to accept if that were true. The world is brought in guilty for their rejection of, for their refusal to receive, Christ. God has entrusted us as His mouthpieces who will declare the Gospel to the ends of the earth (Matthew 28:18-19). So let’s move on. Besides, Jesus and God the Father are both omniscient, which means they know everything (1 John 3:20, Matt. While we rest in knowing that He loves us and is completely powerful – we are driven … But it may be said, This is true in the abstract, nevertheless, Christ refuses to exercise this power, inasmuch as He will never force anyone to receive Him as their Lord and Saviour. 2:13), those who are "elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father" (1 Peter 1:2). 2. 4:19). This is the fundamental duty of every man. God the Father elected certain ones to salvation, God the Son died for the elect, and God the Spirit quickens the elect. (Is. This from the very nature of the case. Question: "How do God’s sovereignty and humanity’s free will work together in salvation?" But for whom does He intercede? It is vitally important for every Christian to understand the doctrine of the sovereignty of God. Here is a servant of God who preaches the Gospel to a congregation in which are an hundred unsaved people. Parallel Verses. And beggars everywhere can’t demand your money if you give earnings to some. But here we would pause and ask, How could it be certain that Christ should "see His seed," and "see of the travail of His soul and be satisfied," unless the salvation of certain members of the human race had been Divinely decreed, and therefore was sure? Here we are told that Caiaphas "prophesied not of himself," that is, like those employed by God in Old Testament times (see 2 Peter 1:21), his prophecy originated not with himself, but he spake as he was moved by the Holy Spirit; thus is the value of his utterance carefully guarded, and the Divine source of this revelation expressly vouched for. Before the Word found entrance into the scene of desolation and darkness, bringing with it the light, the Spirit of God "moved." But as the verse says, this isn’t the case. John Piper 322 Shares God Is Sovereign over Salvation. God’s sovereignty is one of the most humbling traits about Him. Thus instead of teaching the unlimited design of Christ's death, Hebrews 2:9, 10 is in perfect accord with the other Scriptures we have quoted which set for the restricted purpose in the Atonement: it was for the "sons" and not the human race our Lord "tasted death." Like I said earlier, it would be perfectly just to not save anyone because we’re all guilty. Tozer Ere closing this section of the chapter we shall consider briefly a few of those passages which seem to teach most strongly an unlimited design in the death of Christ. Why not? If it is right for Him to purpose to give grace today, it was right for Him to purpose it before today-and, since He changes not-from eternity.". But that’s the wrong attitude to have. 2:22). Then is it because some are so stubborn, so intractable, so defiant that God is unable to woo them to Himself? Most people think faith in Christ is the beginning of salvation, but this step is only the first that’s evident to us. 1:5 NIV). We answer, Christ died for "God's elect.". And now to sum up. No matter what happened that day, those 20 would be yours if you just decided to go. The basis upon which God elected this "remnant" was not faith foreseen in them, because a choice founded upon the foresight of good works is just as truly made on the ground of works as any choice can be, and in such a case it would not be "of grace"; for, says the Apostle, "if by grace, then it is no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace"; which means that grace and works are opposites, they have nothing in common, and will no more mingle than oil and water. But, on the other hand, to say as Scripture says, that Christ was stricken for the transgressions of God's people, to say that He gave His life "for the sheep," to say He gave His life a ransom "for many," is to say that He made an atonement which fully atones; it is to say He paid a price which actually ransoms; it is to say He was set forth a propitiation which really propitiates; it is to say He is a Saviour who truly saves. In proof of this assertion we appeal first to our Lord's words to Nicodemus in John 3: 8- "The wind bloweth where it listeth, and. We take it that the "obedience" here is the "obedience to the faith" (Rom. This is why Jesus said, “All that the Father gives Me will come to Me” ( John 6:37 ) and “you do not believe because you are not my sheep” ( John 10:26 ). This is why Scripture calls Jesus “the second Adam” (1 Cor. We make irrational choices all the time because of our desires. To say that Christ cannot put forth His power without destroying man's responsibility is a begging of the question here raised, for He has put forth His power and made willing those who have come to Him, and if He did this without destroying their responsibility, why "cannot" He do so with others? Again and again our Lord referred to those whom the Father had "given" Him, and concerning whom He was particularly exercised. And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? To answer in the affirmative is to deny His omnipotence. What Jesus provides is worth far more than any Honda Accord or Ferrari, yet people still deny Him because reality doesn’t align with their desires. So hopefully this was worthwhile. For whom did Christ die? Faith is a spiritual grace, the fruit of the spiritual nature, and because the unregenerate are spiritually dead-"dead in trespasses and sins"-then it follows that faith from them is impossible, for a dead man cannot believe anything. But why do these others believe? You can also subscribe without commenting. God has entrusted us as His mouthpieces who will declare the Gospel to the ends of the earth (Matthew 28:18-19). It was the "Church of God" which He purchased with His own blood" (Acts 20:28). For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever. Paul explains this using God’s words to the pharaoh who kept Israel enslaved: For the Scripture says to the Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I may show My power in you, and that My name may be declared in all the earth.” (Rom. THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD THE SON IN SALVATION. If Not, Why Pray? And so it has been ever since. 1:9). Here the cause of election is traced back to its source. Sometimes God works in obvious ways to bring good results. God knows who will be saved and God chooses who will be saved, and we must choose Christ in order to be saved. Bible Verses about Salvation - Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other… Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him… For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all… They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you… He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because… 10:7), and after He had become incarnate He declared, "For I came down from Heaven, not to do Mine own will, but the will of Him that sent Me" (John 6:38). 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Is it not clear then that the reason why others are left outside, is not only because they are unwilling to go in, but also because the Holy Spirit does not "compel" them to come in? God is the "sovereign Lord of all by an incontestable right [as the] creator . Why Did the World Want Jesus Dead Even Though He Was Innocent? Do you say, "But the time came when I was willing, willing to receive Christ as my Saviour"? But if our text means that Christ gave Himself a ransom for God's elect, for all without distinction, without distinction of nationality, social prestige, moral character, age or sex, then the meaning of these qualifying words is quite intelligible, for in "due time" this will be "testified" in the actual and accomplished salvation of every one of them. The Apostle is here drawing a conclusion as is clear from the words "we thus judge, that if... then were." So it is again in Romans 8:28, 29, "For whom He did foreknow, He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son," but the first word here, "for," looks back to the preceding verse and the last clause of its reads, "to them who are the called according to His purpose"-these are the ones whom He did "foreknow and predestinate." "But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor; that He by the grace of God should taste death for every man" (Heb. 5:21). Is there unrighteousness with God? 2:14). To say, as is usually said, the others will not let Him is to impeach His sufficiency. And this fact gives us a glimpse of what really happens in the field. Depending on the person and their season of life, hearing a verse like Daniel 4:35 may inspire feelings of hopeful peace or feelings of hopeless apathy. God’s absolute authority over everything and our freedom to choose—we see evidence of both in Scripture, yet they seem so juxtaposed. Had our Lord been referring here to the gracious work which the Spirit would perform in those who should be brought to feel their need of Him, He had said that the Spirit would convict men of their un-righteousness, their lack of righteousness. That is a startling statement, but we make it deliberately. John 16:8-11 does not describe the "mission" of the Spirit, but sets forth the significance of His presence here in the world. Think about the implications of … 1:18). The Bible often tells us an important fact about God: He is sovereign. Is it because the enmity is too strong to be overcome? God is the "sovereign Lord of all by an incontestable right [as the] creator . We are to glory in God, not in ourselves. The words "Even so" at the beginning of this quotation refer us to the previous verse where we are told, "I have reserved to Myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal." Sometimes the wind blows so softly it scarcely rustles a leaf; at other times it blows so loudly that its roar can be heard for miles. He chose according to His will. Agreeable to this are our Lord's words in John 17:9-"I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which Thou hast given Me; for they are Thine." Our appeal shall be to the Law and to the Testimony. 2:1 NIV). Flesh can only produce … The predestination we mentioned earlier is just coming to pass. 1:3-5, 11). Please remember that salvation itself is more important though, so let’s not argue over matters like this. How plain and pointed is the language of Holy Writ! If Christ bore in His own body on the tree the sins of all men without exception, then none will perish. “There is none righteous, no, not one; There is none who understands; 3:1). And how shall they preach unless they are sent? In verse 33 the question is asked, "Who shall lay anything to the charge of God's elect?" How could God foreknow some men as believers when belief was impossible to them? MAN'S RESPONSIBILITY ... but had pleasure in unrighteousness" (2 Thess. Finally, the truth of God’s election should humble us. Suddenly I acted, and they came to pass. The ones whom He took into favored intimacy with Himself and commissioned to go forth as His ambassadors were, for the most part, unlettered fishermen. Dec 1, 2015. ... /spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/sovereignty and salvation.htm. James also tells us that “God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. 2:12 and compare verse 10). All three members work together with absolute sovereignty and unwavering resolve to save the very same people for Their own glory. These can both be used to show God’s justice or discipline, and they are not morally evil.). If We Say that We Have No Sin, We Deceive Ourselves, The Difference Between Legal & Gospel Mortification, Heaven: Rejoicing in Future Glory (Series). Sin is any form of rebellion against God and any action that falls short of His character (1 John 3:4). "Of judgment, because the Prince of this world is judged" (v. 11). Well may we sing. The same God who predestined the end also appointed the means; the same God who "chose unto salvation" decreed that His purpose should be realized through the work of the Spirit and belief of the truth. Second, that a limited number only are "ordained to eternal life," for if all men without exception were thus ordained by God, then the words "as many as" are a meaningless qualification. 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