Those who believe in so-called *Unconditional Election* (from the five Points of Calvinism) interpret John 6:37 as though it means that God the Father chooses (predestines and elects) some for salvation (which would also mean that He elects some for damnation). But the context makes it clear that the meaning is THE EXACT OPPOSITE of what is assumed. The context of this verse is as below (in the KJV)
37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.
38 For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.
39 And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.
40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.
Therefore we need to start with verse 40, and what it says is that (a) everyone is given the opportunity to see the Son and believe on Him (through the Gospel), (b) those who believe on Him will receive the gift of everlasting life, and (c) those who receive everlasting life will be resurrected and receive immortal, glorified bodies.
* I agree, @Enoch111,
The wording of verse 40 is interesting isn't it? For it tells us exactly when those who believe on God's Own Beloved Son, will be resurrected: - 'at the last day'. How wonderful, that we, like David can say,
'As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness:
I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with Thy likeness.'
(Psalm 17:15)
* ... and like Job:-
'So man lieth down, and riseth not: till the heavens be no more,
they shall not awake, nor be raised out of their sleep.
O that Thou wouldest hide me in the grave,
that Thou wouldest keep me secret, until Thy wrath be past,
that Thou wouldest appoint me a set time, and remember me!
If a man die, shall he live again?
all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come.
Thou shalt call, and I will answer thee:
Thou wilt have a desire to the work of Thine hands.'
(Job 14:12-15)
'For I know that my redeemer liveth,
and that He shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:
And though after my skin worms destroy this body,
yet in my flesh shall I see God:
Whom I shall see for myself,
and mine eyes shall behold, and not another;
though my reins be consumed within me.'
(Job 19:25-27)
Praise God!
'But these are written,Then we go to verse 38, and see that Christ came to do the will of the Father, not His own will. But what was the will of the Father? For that we need to go to John 3:17, which tells us that the will of the Father was the salvation of THE WHOLE WORLD: For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. And this is the EXACT OPPOSITE of Unconditional Election.
So now we come to verse 37, which tells us that God draws all men to Christ, but only those who believe are the ones who are given to Him, and these are the ones who will come to Him, and whom He will not cast out.
Scripture also tells us that just as the Father draws men to Christ through the Gospel, the Son does the same, and so does the Holy Spirit. In other words the triune Godhead acts in concert with the Gospel to bring about the salvation of sinners. But only those who obey the Gospel, and respond with repentance and faith, will be saved and eternally secure, to be raised up on the *Last Day*
that ye might believe
that Jesus is the Christ,
the Son of God;
and that believing
ye might have life
through His Name.'
(John 20:31)
'And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness,
even so must the Son of man be lifted up:
That whosoever believeth in Him should not perish,
but have eternal life.'
(John 3:14)
Praise His Holy Name !
In Christ Jesus
Chris
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