John 6:37-39, “All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. 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.”
When we begin reading John chapter six we quickly find/see five thousand besides the women and children gathered together. Some were present to see the miracles (Jn 6:2). Others were there because He fed them with the loaves and fishes (Jn 6:26). But there was a group there who longed for the words which came forth from the Saviors precious lips (Jn 6:68).
When the Lord began to teach the people gathered together that day, He spoke the words previously cited. In these two verses of scripture we have an amazing declaration of salvation. Please notice:
(1) Election and predestination (“All that the Father giveth to me”)! When reading these words, a Bible student’s mind should be stirred to think about what the Bible teaches concerning the Everlasting Covenant (Ps 11:1:9; Zech 9:11; Heb 13:20). According to scripture, before the foundation of the world, the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost met together in covenant and chose a definite number of people (elect). (Eph 1:3-5; Romans 8:29-30).
(2) Redemption (“the will of him that sent me”)! By these words alone it is easily understood that there was a purpose in the Lord’s coming into this world. According to the angel’s words to Joseph, Jesus came into this world to “save his people from their sins” (Matt 1:21). The Lord accomplished this work of redemption when He offered His perfect life in the room and stead of the elect on the Cross of Calvary (Gal 3:13; 1 Pet 1:18; 1 Pet 2:24).
(3) Regeneration (“shall come to me”)! With these words the Lord is teaching us that all the elect, somewhere between their conception and death, shall be effectually drawn to Him by His irresistible power. This should not be confused with the gospel call to a born-again child of grace to an obedient life, because not all who are called by the gospel will obey. But the effectual call to life (from being dead in sins) is one which will accomplish its purpose. John 5:25 teaches us “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.” When we see the fruit of the Spirit, as taught to us in Galatians 5:22 (love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance), we are observing the manifestation of the life of God in His children’s lives (meaning regeneration has already happened).
(4) Preservation (“lose nothing”)! According to the Lord, not one that He purposed to save will be lost from His eternal grace. Everyone He came into this world to save, shall be saved. The Lord was not, and is not, trying to record a good average, but is determined to have all that He paid for with Him in glory one great and glorious day. According to Jude verse one, the sanctified and called are “preserved in Jesus Christ”.
Brothers and sisters, we learn from reading John 6:68-69, the words spoken by the Lord brought much peace and comfort to the Apostle Peter. I am very thankful these words have been preserved in His word for us, as they have brought much peace and comfort to me. The message of salvation by grace and grace alone has comforted the hearts of His children throughout the generations, and I pray it will bring peace to you. Amen!