All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out.
-- John 6:37
This text touches on two tough truths, election and evangelism. Election is a controversial doctrine, so few understand it. Evangelism is a controversial practice, so few engage in it.
Election and evangelism are a seemingly contradictory pair of competing values. They are a peculiar paradox, an apparent antinomy. Is it God who chooses His own people to save forever, or do people make their own free and willing choice on the day they are forever saved?
I have consulted with a lot of outstanding minds on this matter, none better than the great theologian Forrest Gump. When pondering life as a fulfillment of divine destiny, or wondering if life is the summation of our own choices, he said, "I think both things are happening at the same time."
Election is God's choice to give salvation to those He has personally chosen. All the elect will come to Christ. Only the elect will come to Christ. They will experience the regenerating power of the Holy Spirit. They will repent, believe, and be saved. Jesus said so in John 6:37, 6:44, and 6:65.
Serious Christians are eager to engage serious doctrines like election. Election is God's foundational grace (Ephesians 1:4; John 15:16). Election is God's irresistible grace (John 6:37, 11:43-44). Election is God's permanent grace (John 6:37, 10:28-29).
Election is part of the doctrine of God's sovereignty in salvation, from start to finish. He loves us first, so we can love Him. He chose us first, so we can choose Him. He saved us, because we cannot save ourselves. But, if we are saved by grace, we can be the means of grace to bring others to salvation.
Election is God's business. Evangelism is God's people's business. If you are one of the elect, God elected you to evangelize. And the commandment to evangelize is every bit as serious as the doctrine of election.
There are three ways to handle this awesome responsibility of evangelism. One is wrong, the second is impossible, and the third way is the right way. One is the road most traveled; the second would be great if we could do it, but we can't; so, the third way is the only way.
The first way to tackle evangelism is not to tackle it at all. Have any fellow football fans noticed the evolution of the modern-day cornerback? They don't tackle anymore. They leave it for the safeties and linebackers. They're like the Christians who will read their Bibles, cover a worship service, but won't tackle a lost or unchurched person with the Gospel. Obviously, this way won't serve in any way to bring people to the Lord.
The second way would be cool, if there was any way to do it. Having just studied the doctrine of election, we could take the Gospel, only to the elect, and thereby be assured of great success. The only problem with this is we do not know who the elect are, for this is known only to God. Election is His business. Evangelism is ours. Charles Haddon Spurgeon once wished God would paint a yellow stripe down the back of all of the elect, then he's find them and witness to them, like catching fish in a bucket. Of course, God has done no such thing.
This leaves us with only the third option. We must witness to everyone. We have the authority of God's word to go out and tell everyone in the whole wide world that "whoever," anyone and everyone, "comes to (Jesus)" in repentance and faith "will never (be) cast out" or refused by God, but be saved and have eternal life (John 3:16).
Going to everyone means starting with someone. It means caring for someone. It means sharing with someone, an invitation to Christ, perhaps starting with an invitation to Christ's church.
Election is a wonderful doctrine because it glorifies God, humbles our pride, and is necessary for salvation. Evangelism is a wonderful practice because it glorifies God, humbles our pride, and is necessary for salvation. Now you see how election and evangelism go together. Both things are happening at the same time!
Chuck DeVane is the pastor of Lake Hamilton Baptist Church. Call him at 501-525-8339 or email [email protected].