40 The Father's Will
The Father’s Will
"My Father’s will is that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him — shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day!" John 6:40
Sinners are sometimes led to take harsh and unscriptural views of the Father, as if he did not possess the same love, and feel the same interests in them as the Son. But this is highly improper, for the Scriptures inform us that "God is love," and that the glorious scheme of salvation originated with him.
If sinners are chosen to salvation — it is by the Father.
If Jesus is sent into the world to save sinners — it is by the Father.
If the Holy Spirit is sent to regenerate the heart — it is by the Father. And Jesus here bears testimony, "My Father’s will is that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him — shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day!" The blessing promised, is eternal life. This was forfeited by Adam — he closed the way of life upon all his posterity. He brought death into the world — and all our woe. "By one man’s disobedience many were made sinners," and sinners have no right or title to eternal life. Jesus, as the second Adam has opened a new and living way into the holiest. The first Adam was death to all his seed — the second Adam is "the life" to all his seed. Therefore he said, "I have come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly."
Eternal life includes . . .
a life of grace in God’s favor — and a life of glory in God’s presence,
a life of obedience to God — and of the enjoyment of God,
a life of renovation below — and of perfection and glory above,
a life in union to Christ’s person — and in the possession of his love.
Eternal life is just that which the soul pants for, which will satisfy the cravings of our nature, and yield us perfect happiness forever! Eternal life is God’s richest gift — and man’s best inheritance! O may we know it, possess it, and enjoy it forever!
It is to be obtained by seeing the Son, and believing on him.
Theobjectto be seen, is Jesus, the Son of God. Who was once the man of sorrows, and familiar with grief. Who was despised and rejected by men; and who is despised and rejected by multitudes now. The Son of God is man — for he was made in all points like unto his brethren; but he is also God — for he was in the form of God, and thought it no robbery to be equal with God. He is God and man in one Christ. God was manifest in the flesh.
Theactby which life is obtained, is seeing or perceiving that Jesus is the Son of God. Many saw him with the bodily eye in the days of his flesh, but were none the better for it — for they had no perception of the glory of his person, or the design of his coming into our world. John who was saved by him said, "We beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth." Now we must perceive thus of Jesus:
that he is the Son of God,
that he is full of grace and truth,
that he is anointed and appointed to save sinners,
that he can save us,
that there is salvation in no other.
We must perceive that he is the sole object of a sinner’s trust, and be so affected by the sight, as to exercise confidence in him, renouncing all other. The light in which Jesus is seen — is communicated by the Holy Spirit. He shines upon the word that reveals him — and shines into the heart, that it may see him. As Paul speaking of his own experience said, "For God who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, has shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." And accounting for some despising and rejecting the gospel, he says, "And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God." 2 Corinthians 4:3-4; 2 Corinthians 4:6. The organ by which Jesus is seen — is faith. Faith is the eye of the soul. Faith sees him who is invisible. Faith brings the soul and the Savior together. Without faith, we see no beauty in Jesus — but to every believer he is altogether lovely, and unspeakably precious! The medium through which Jesus is seen — is his word and ordinances. Here Jesus is revealed. His likeness is presented to us. The gospel is full of Christ. The ordinances set forth Christ. And if we have faith, we see Christ — in every doctrine, in every promise, and in every institution of the new covenant. The effects of this sight are various. If we see the Son — we shall trust in him, or place our entire dependence upon him for life and salvation. We shall exercise unlimited confidence in him, and our confidence in him will lead us to imitate him. He who confides in Christ, will long to be like Christ; and his constant prayer will be that he may be transformed into the image of Christ. When Christ is thus seen — eternal life is certain. We have the most solemn pledge, the most sacred assurance given us. There is the Father’s will, purpose, or intention. He wills eternal life to every believer in Jesus. He has purposed that all who trust in the Savior shall be saved. He intends to confer the kingdom of glory on all and every one who sees the Son and believes on him.
Then there is the Savior’s character, he is "the Just One." He stands pledged by his word to confer the blessing. He is "the Faithful and True Witness," and will never deceive one who receives his testimony. The resurrection secures the favor. "I will raise him up at the last day." We shall be raised by Jesus. We shall be raised like Jesus. We shall be raised to be glorified with Jesus. He who raises us up from the dead — will confer on us eternal life. Yes, he will raise us up on purpose to do so.
Dear friend, Christ is the one object to which we must look. We must not look into our hearts, or at our sins, or to anything we imagine that we can do. But we must look to Jesus only. It does not matter what we see — if we do not see the Son. It does not matter what we do — if we do not believe in Jesus. There is no salvation — but by perceiving the Son and believing on him. Life or death comes by looking.
Eve looked at the forbidden fruit, she lusted for it, she took it, and she died. Achan looked at the golden wedge and the Babylonish garment, he coveted, he took, and he died. The Israelites looked at the brazen serpent, they believed in its divine appointment, they proved its efficacy, and they lived. No one sees Christ, who does not believe on him, for seeing and believing on him are the same thing: even as believing on him, and receiving him are.
Eternal life is sure to every believer. He has the commencement of it already, and he shall soon have its consummation. "He who believes on the Son has everlasting life: and he who believes not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abides on him." John 3:36.
Every believer is a sheep of Christ — but every unbeliever is disowned by him. To the one endless life is certain — but the other is rejected, as he said, "You believe not, because you are not of my sheep, as I said nnto you. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any one pluck them out of my hand. My Father, who gave them me, is greater than all; and no one is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand!" John 10:26-29. The Savior’s work is but the carrying out of the Father’s will.
What the Father purposes — the Son performs.
What the Father ordains — the Son accomplishes.
Believing is the proof and evidence that we are given to Christ. Believing is coming to Jesus — but no man can come unto him unless the Father draws him. But all that the Father gives him, shall come to him, and him that comes he will never cast out. If therefore I come to Jesus, the Father has drawn me; if the Father has drawn me, he has given me to Jesus; and if the Father has given me to Jesus, he will never cast me out.
Friend, have you felt your need of Jesus? Have you perceived that he is just the Savior that you need? Have you believed on him? Is he the object of your trust, confidence, and reliance? Are you coming to imitate his conduct, while you depend on his precious blood?
If you are not imitating Christ — you do not believe on him;
if you do not believe on him — you have never seen him;
if you have never seen him — you are dead in trespasses and sins;
and if you are dead in trespasses and sins — you are under God’s wrath and just condemnation. This brings the subject to a solemn point, and demands our most serious consideration, and self-examination. O Holy Spirit, search us, try us, quicken us, lead us to Jesus, show us his glories, and give us eternal life through his name!