Understanding Election

We need to back up to some of the verses we covered last time because there is a topic we need to tackle here and now because it comes up several times throughout John. For example, in John 10:26-27, it says “But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep….My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” Don’t all people hear God’s voice? Can’t whosoever be a sheep that follows the Shepherd? How do we explain this? Well, you can’t explain it apart from the concept of election. So here we are!

I.  Election is a doctrine. (36-40)

•  We see divine election and human free placed back to back. (36-37)
• There are people that simply believe in Jesus Christ to be saved.
• God the Father specifically chosen people to Jesus to be saved.
• Not everyone is going to , but those who are going to believe, God knows who they are, where they are, and when they are, and He will work in their heart and life to them to a point of belief in Jesus Christ.
• All who are supposed to believe in Jesus Christ believe in Jesus Christ.
• All that come to Christ will be cast out!

II. Election can be a balanced doctrine. (41-47)

• We should not say that salvation is about God’s choosing, nor should we say salvation is only about choosing. 
• The Bible is not seeking to make us , disgruntled, and over the concept of election and free will of man.
• and work together.
• The real mystery of election is not that some are chosen but that God would choose at all.

III. Election is a doctrine.

• We are not supposed to sit around and in the fact that we are the elect, we are to get . 
• It’s not a debate to be , it’s a command to be .
• Divine foreknowledge does not negate human .
• The challenge to every believer in this is – never rest in your election, but work in .