The Bible teaches that coming to Christ is an act of faith given by God, where no one can come unless drawn by the Father (John 6:37, 65).
Coming to Christ is a fundamental concept in Christian theology, particularly in the context of sovereign grace. In John 6:37, Jesus states that all that the Father gives to Him will come to Him, and He will not cast them out. This highlights the divine initiative in salvation; it is the Father who draws individuals to Christ. Moreover, John 6:65 emphasizes that no one can come to Jesus unless it has been granted to them by the Father. Therefore, coming to Christ is not merely a human decision, but a profound response to God’s enabling grace.
John 6:37, John 6:65
Scripture confirms that faith is granted by God, as stated in Philippians 1:29, which tells us that it has been given to us to believe in Him.
The belief that faith is a gift from God is deeply rooted in Reformed theology. Philippians 1:29 explicitly states that it has been granted to us to not only believe in Christ but also to suffer for Him. This shows that faith is not a human endeavor but a divine endowment. Ephesians 2:8-9 reinforces this by declaring that by grace we have been saved through faith, and this is not of ourselves; it is the gift of God. Thus, genuine faith arises from God's merciful and sovereign action in the hearts of His chosen people.
Philippians 1:29, Ephesians 2:8-9
Daily coming to Christ signifies a continual reliance on Him for sustenance and grace, reflecting a vibrant faith in a believer's life.
Daily coming to Christ is essential for a healthy spiritual life. In the sermon, it is emphasized that the act of coming to Christ is not a one-time event but a continuous process, akin to a present progressive action. The faithful Christian recognizes their daily need for grace and strength, as shown in Scriptures like Psalm 61:8, where the psalmist vows to perform their vows daily. This daily approach keeps believers connected to Christ, cultivating a deeper relationship and reliance on His sustaining grace throughout each moment of life. By doing so, they maintain spiritual vitality and remain focused on their ultimate source of life and strength.
Psalm 61:8
Coming to Christ as a needy sinner means acknowledging one’s inability to save oneself and recognizing the necessity of Christ's mercy and grace.
To come to Christ as a needy sinner is to fully understand one’s own depravity and need for salvation. The sermon references Jesus' words that He came to call not the righteous, but sinners (Mark 2:17). This acknowledgment is crucial because it signifies a heart that realizes it cannot achieve righteousness on its own. As sinners, individuals must recognize that their only hope lies in Christ's atoning sacrifice and His ability to provide salvation. This humble admission is foundational for anyone desiring to come to Christ, for it illustrates a heart truly prepared to receive divine grace and mercy.
Mark 2:17
Voluntary coming to Christ is essential as it reflects a genuine desire and willingness to seek Him, enabled by the Holy Spirit.
Voluntary coming to Christ indicates that the believer's heart has been transformed by God's grace. The sermon points to Psalm 110:3, which speaks of God's people offering themselves willingly. This willingness stems from the new heart God gives His elect, replacing their stony hearts with flesh that longs to pursue Him. Therefore, the act of coming to Christ is not forced, but a natural response of love and desire spurred by the Holy Spirit. A genuine faith is characterized by this voluntary submission and eager response to God’s call, highlighting that true faith is both a divine gift and a personal response.
Psalm 110:3
Abandoning false securities involves renouncing any attempts to gain salvation through one's own efforts or merit and relying solely on Christ.
Coming to Christ necessitates a renunciation of all false securities and efforts at self-justification. As emphasized in the sermon, adhering to a false sense of security, such as reliance on personal works or a previous religious experience, is to cling to what Paul describes as 'rubbish' in Philippians 3:8. True coming to Christ involves letting go of any notion that one can earn salvation and fully embracing the sufficiency of Christ's work. This aligns with the teaching that salvation is wholly by grace through faith, underscoring the belief that nothing one can do can earn favor with God. Only by abandoning these false refuges can a person come to the true source of salvation—Christ alone.
Philippians 3:8
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