Joh_10:26-28. - They Were Not "Sheep" As They Believed Not

15. John 10:26-28. - They Were Not "Sheep" As They Believed Not

“But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you. (26), My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: (27) And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.”- John 10:26-28 Using these verses in support of election, Mr. Nettleton sets forth this reasoning in his book on page 27, and I quote:

“Note the order of words in the verses just quoted.  It does not say, ‘He that heareth God's words is of God.'  It gives the divine side—‘He that is of God heareth God's words.'

It does not say, ‘Ye are not of my sheep because ye believe not.' Rather it says, ‘But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep.' ” The problem with this reasoning--as good as it may sound--is that it contradicts God's word! In the same Gospel we find:

“And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?” - John 11:26 Notice in John 10:6 that Christ spoke this parable to them concerning the sheep. In Matthew 13:10 the disciples asked:

“…why speakest thou unto them in parables?”

Christ answers their question in the following verses and assures us that it was by their own will in choosing not to believe, rather than God's imposing His will upon them:

“Therefore speak I unto them in parables: because seeing they see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. (13) For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart…” Matthew 13:13; Matthew 13:15 The Bible does not say that God closed their eyes, but rather that they have closed their own eyes. The choice and responsibility was totally theirs and the reason for their choice of rejecting Christ is plainly stated in John 10:31; John 10:33 :

“Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him.” (31) The Jews answered him, saying, for a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God.” (33)

If “election to salvation” were true, then He would have had to make them think Christ was not God, so they would fulfill His “election to damnation.” Do not ask me to believe John 3:16 that… “...God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son…”

…and then put it into the minds of some people not to believe it, while on the other hand, God gives others---the so-called “elected”--the faith to believe. This would be mutilation of both the Word and the character of God. At the end of chapter 10, Christ still reasons with the Jews. Notice John 10:37-38 :

“If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not. (37) But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know and believe, that the Fathers is in me, and I in him.” (38) - John 10:37-38

If these Jews are supposed to be already excluded by the “doctrine” of election, then why is Christ still reasoning with them to try and get them to believe?  Why should He waste the time?  Why should we pray for the lost if the elected are going to be saved anyway and the lost to remain lost--what in the world is the use?  Thank God, this is not true!

Again the Word of God speaks clearly and plainly for Itself.  Notice in Revelation 22:17 :

“And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” When one studies the doctrine of election and choosing--especially after reviewing the writings of many theologians--one may still be left in awe as we are advised that one cannot reconcile the sovereignty of God and the free will of man. This book is written in defense of the sovereignty of God and the free will of man. The two can easily be reconciled and understood, if one allows Scripture to interpret Scripture. Those who endorse that God has chosen some to salvation consistently point out various statements such as:

“God's election is according to His own sovereign purpose.  He has not revealed His reasons for such election.” (SOURCE: Chosen to Salvation, Nettleton).

“There are two things that men will never understand this side of Heaven, how could God elect to save some sinners and not others.  And how He could make man responsible for his faith or unbelief.  Our minds are too small and too perverted by sin.” (SOURCE: Ibid., 14,15).

One author whose book endorses that God has elected some to be saved, turns right around and makes this statement in his book. “This book does not teach election to Hell.” This is unbelievable! (SOURCE: Ibid., 19). The same book endorsing election states, “It seems safe to say that most people who believe in election do not believe in limited atonement.” (SOURCE: Ibid., 20).

Then he quotes again, “One died for all.' (2 Corinthians 5:14). Let that stand, too.” (SOURCE: Ibid., 20) To sum up statements like this in a couple of words, it amounts to nothing more than a whole lot of double-talk! Those who endorse “election to salvation”--which the Scriptures do not teach--ask us to accept this false doctrine “by faith.” That is , “Just trust that God knows what He is doing when He elects some to be saved and not others.” Their statement is, “How can God elect some to salvation and not others? How can He plan it all and then turn around and hold man responsible? These things must be taken by faith.” (SOURCE: Chosen to Salvation, Nettleton, pg. 14)

No!  We do not accept Nettleton's philosophy by faith, because it is a man-made philosophy that contradicts other portions of God's word.  The Bible says that God is “…not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).  If God is not willing that any should perish, then the doctrine of election of some to salvation is against the character and will of God.  This philosophy would make God contradict Himself.  Yes, if I believe in election to salvation I would definitely have to have faith--and that faith would have to be in man's teaching, not the Word of God.