(tm) Day 3

That he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him. (John 17:2)

Christ gives eternal life to each person whom the Father has given to him. The doctrine of election, of Divine choosing, runs throughout the Scriptures. Sometimes it is difficult for us to understand how God can elect some people and not others. We cannot grasp how God can do this and yet leave us with a choice. Also, the doctrine of election goes against our idea of what is fair and what is unfair.

If we think about it, each human being makes choices throughout his life depending on the circumstances in which he finds himself. The human drama is far too large a canvas for us to comprehend. The Scriptures teach us that each person is judged in terms of his opportunities, in terms of what he has seen and experienced. Little is required of those to whom little has been given.

As for our idea of what is fair, what is equitable, on what basis are we to determine this? Our doctrine of fairness has been warped by the teachings of the past four hundred years that have attempted to make man into God. Rebellion against God, against all authority, has been implanted deep in us. We find it difficult to accept the doctrine of Scripture that God is the Potter and we are the clay. We cannot grasp the "fairness" of it. We are unable to judge righteous judgment.

We do know God is all-powerful and absolutely righteous. It is fitting for us to trust His righteousness and "fairness." God Himself is the Standard of all equity. All men are wicked. God alone is good. Let God be true and every man a liar.

Christ gives eternal life to each individual who has been given to Him by the Father.

In the seventeenth chapter of John we behold the outlines of the highest, thickest, mightiest, most impenetrable wall in the universe—the wall between the world and God’s elect. The wall stands before us in its power and glory. It is the division between the nations of the earth and the Church of Christ—the towering wall of the holy city, the new Jerusalem.