John 5:21 – He Chose and We Choose

“For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son gives life to whom he is pleased to give it.” John – 5:21

God has given you life. God used His design of a man and a woman to cause a DNA pairing at conception that is completely unique to you. From the biological fertilization by which He initiated your development; to the beautiful and miraculous cell multiplication that caused your bones, brain, muscle, and heart to take form; to your unique spirit that exists in you. You have truly been knit together in your mother’s womb, fearfully and wonderfully made by God (Psalm 139:13-14). But the “life” mentioned in John 5:21 is not referring to the miracle of each person’s existence, it is talking about the eternal life God gives through faith in Jesus.

So why didn’t God simply choose to give eternal life to all the people He chose to give initial life? The answer can be found in God’s decision to give mankind the ability to choose how we live. In giving mankind this choice, He did something both beautiful and confounding. The all-powerful Creator God did not bind His creation’s heart, but He freed it to choose Him or reject Him. In this, God reveals that He wants more than forced obedience and compliance. He wants a relationship with His creation, one in which there is mutual love and satisfaction. One in which He is chosen and submission, obedience, reverence, and praise are freely given as an outpouring of love and gratitude for Him. Now, by giving mankind choice, He has both allowed the here and now to be complicated by every human decision in rebellion against Him, and He has made eternity with Him even more beautiful. His eternal Kingdom of Heaven will be filled with all of mankind who has chosen to walk with Him in deep fellowship and mutual love. God will spend eternity with His beloved children. Those who have chosen to place their faith in Him, and those whom Jesus has chosen to give eternal life.

Scripture declares that “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame… everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved,” (Rom. 10:11-13). Jesus is the one who decides whom He gives eternal life and through His death and resurrection He has offered eternal life to all who come to Him in faith, choosing to believe in Him and follow Him. In His offering He has declared there is no one too far gone, no one He cannot save, and no one broken beyond repair. To the murderer and the missionary alike, He offers forgiveness. To the prostitute and the pastor alike, He offers grace. In Jesus’s own words He declares His authority to give life, “The Son gives life to whom he is pleased to give it,” and He calls us to come to Him and to choose Him as He has chosen us, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest,” (Matt. 11:28).

Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank you for coming to save us. Help us to see Your great love for us in an undeniable way and help us to choose to follow You rather than our own way.