There would be no debate on this subject if men would allow Scripture to stand on its own. John 6 establishes it. The decree of eternal election is clearly set before us in verse 39, “And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing…”—Observe the tense ‘hath’ (See Ephesians 1:4 and II Timothy 1:9). In John 6:37 the doctrine of effectual grace is confirmed; “All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; …” Also in this verse the doctrine of the saint’s final perseverance is fixed in the promise of divine preservation, “Him that cometh to me I will in no wise CAST OUT.” Christ certainly limits the atonement in further statements such as John 10:11-27 and 17:1-10. He said in John 10:11, “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth His life FOR THE SHEEP.” He further said, (directing His remarks to the Jews). “But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep” (v.26). And if He laid down His life for the sheep and they (those whom He addressed) were not of His sheep, then His atonement must be limited to His sheep alone. He said in John 17:2, “As thou hast given Him (the Son) power over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to AS MANY AS THOU HAST GIVEN Him.” We know that all men were not given to Him for salvation. “Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel: Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. That is, They which are the children of the flesh, (Ishmael and his descendents) these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed. For this is the word of promise, At this time will I come, and Sarah shall have a son. And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac; (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the PURPOSE of God ACCORDING TO ELECTION MIGHT STAND, NOT OF WORKS, but of Him that calleth); It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger. As it is written, JACOB HAVE I LOVED, BUT ESAU HAVE I HATED” (Romans 9:6-13). What does that mean pastor? It simply means that God chose Jacob to be redeemed by Christ and allowed Esau to go his own way. When Judas Iscariot hanged himself it is said (Acts 1:25) “that He went to his own place”, which according to John 17:12 is “perdition”. It is also confirmed in Romans 9:17 that God raised up Pharaoh for the purpose of manifesting His power over him in judgment, not salvation. I leave you with one other consideration; our Lord said 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.” Christ is the only mediator between God and men, the only one to intercede for forgiveness and acceptance, and if a person doesn’t have Christ praying for him he doesn’t have a Savior. Simon Peter and Judas Iscariot committed identical sins against Christ; both denied Him and turned their backs upon Him. Why did Peter find grace to repent and recovery with Christ and Judas did not? For this reason, Christ prayed for Peter and not for Judas. “But I have prayed for you (Peter) that your faith fail not.”
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