God’s Sovereignty and Man’s Responsibility

As mentioned in previous “Blessings” one Sunday, at Makati Christian Fellowship (in Manila 1971), while teaching the book of John in Sunday School to the professionals we had some guests, husband and wife who were in their 70s, well-educated and a middle-class family. These visitors were unhappy because some verses in John that I taught were controversial and may be because I was young, or maybe they knew the Bible better than I. I asked hard questions. He commented negatively, instead of encouraging me. About 15 in my class were astonished because I was just put to silence, standing there looking a bit silly. In spite of my ‘youth’ I encouraged myself, though a bit embarrassed, I proceeded with my lesson. One of our deacons, a supervisor at Amon Trading asked me with a smile on his face, “are you going to teach us another hard controversial topic next Sunday?” I just smiled. Over the years I have learned to respect those who hold another point of view and are at different levels of maturity—as long as we believe in the Essential Doctrines.

One of the controversial topics we would consider today is John 1:12-13 which causes some debates between Calvinists and Armenians. According to verses 9, 11 every man receives the light and is therefore responsible to reject it according to verse 11 or accept it according to verse 12. But those who accept it (v.12) are born of God (v.13). When a person is ‘born of God’ clearly it is a sovereign act of God and not controlled by man’s decision. When I was first born physically in this world, I did not do anything. That was my parents’ job physically or biologically. To be born from above (or again or of God) is God’s sovereign act.

How do we reconcile these controversial statements? The context might help us. Human responsibility is emphasized in 1:4,7, 9,11--the combination of light and life are important factors to bring people to God’s world of light. In this prologue (1:1-18) you’ll notice the giving of revelation particularly vv.1,14, 18; the enlightenment of men from sins’ darkness is due to the light and life that the Word radiates vv.4-9. Grace is mentioned in verses 14,16,17, but it seems they do not provide any clue about “irresistible grace” - this is a doctrine that says that God’s compassionate act of grace irresistibly draws the chosen ones (the elect) to Himself. Most Armenians would disagree with this, and the debate is still ongoing.

Let me give my verdict/opinion as I understand the prologue of John. Perhaps this is a balanced approach. Every person who hears the Gospel has the opportunity to see the Light of life and may be drawn towards Christ. However, those who reject it, are still a part of that ‘world’ we call darkness. Those who have believed and accepted it are “born of God”. That is to say they received spiritual birth (1:13; 3:3,5) that comes from God alone. It is obvious that a faith decision does not produce salvation in and of itself. But the text clearly says that salvation will not take place in a person’s life without receiving the Word which is Jesus Christ. Again, God’s sovereignty and man’s responsibility always exists side by side. That’s awesome grace!