Book 4 of Musings All Whom the Father Gives Me

The Lord Jesus told us every person whom the Father gives to Him will come to Him.

I believe this statement needs to become part of missionary thinking.

It appears there is a balance between human effort and God's direction. God has commanded us to preach the Gospel to every creature. Whoever believes and is baptized shall be saved. This commandment was given to the Apostles, and those who believe and are baptized shall be spared in the Day of God's Wrath.

Yet the Lord told us no one can come to Him unless the Father draws that person. Also, in the Book of Acts, we find verses that suggest there are specific people who are ordained to eternal life.

When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord; and all who were appointed for eternal life believed. (Acts 13:48)

For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city. (Acts 18:10)

Since we have been commanded to preach the Gospel to every person, and yet God has specific people to whom He is ready to give eternal life, I guess we have to think of our preaching as though we were fishing. We are preaching to everyone; yet we know there are certain people who are going to respond.

I have thought for years that we need to have a greater sense of God's timing. It appears to me that many well-intentioned evangelistic programs are planned and implemented without a certain knowledge that this is what God is saying to do. Have you ever felt like this?

When I was in Bible school we were taught that the heathen were dying and sliding into Hell, and we were to go forth and save as many as we could.

Being a conscientious person I was very concerned, very worried about the fact that I was not doing enough to save these Hell-bound people.

But when I went to the Lord I did not get the feeling such was the case at all. I was assured that God was fully in control and all I had to do was to obey Him. I still am getting the same message from the Lord.

My conclusion over the years has been that the fact that millions are dying without Christ is not the proper motivation for missionary work. The only proper motivation for any kind of Gospel work is obedience to the Lord. We are to wait on the Lord until He directs us.

The believer who decides to wait for the Lord until he hears what Christ is saying may come under criticism from those who tell us the Bible already commands us to "tell everyone about Christ," so what are we waiting for? I notice, however, that those who lay such burdens on us do not themselves follow their own advice.

I find rest in the Words of the Lord Jesus. "All whom the Father gives Me shall come to Me," one way or another. My task is to make certain I am doing God's will every moment of the day and night. When I do that, the blood of sinners is not on my hands.

God is in control and is saving whom He will how He will. His responsibility is to save mankind. My responsibility is to be obedient and live in peace with Jesus.

Whew!

All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. (John 6:37)