BRUSHFIRES | WEEK 14
A Discipleship Series from Brushwood Press | BrushwoodPress.com
Core Doctrine:
Sovereign Grace – Unconditional Election
Verse:
John 6:37 (CSB)
“Everyone the Father gives me will come to me, and the one who comes to me I will never cast out.”
Book Context:
John’s Gospel is centered on showing that Jesus is the Son of God and the only source of eternal life. Chapter 6 records Jesus’ miraculous feeding of thousands, followed by a teaching that offended many: that salvation is not about chasing signs or making decisions but about being drawn by the Father. Verse 37 is a cornerstone in that teaching—Jesus is not passively waiting for people to come; He is receiving those the Father has given Him. It is a sovereign promise that salvation is God’s work from beginning to end—and that none of His people will be lost.
Core Doctrine Explanation:
The doctrine of Unconditional Election teaches that before the foundation of the world, God chose a people for Himself—not based on anything they would do, believe, or become, but solely because of His love and mercy. It was not our decision that initiated salvation. It was God’s.
John 6:37 shows that those who come to Christ do so because they were given by the Father. This is not fatalism—it is grace. God is not scanning the earth for the most promising candidates. He is calling the dead to life. He is bringing His children home.
This doctrine humbles us because it removes every ounce of boasting. It comforts us because our salvation doesn’t rest on our ability to choose—it rests on God’s unchanging will. And it compels us to worship, because we know we did nothing to deserve His mercy—and yet He gave it anyway.
Danger of Not Holding to the Core Doctrine – Week 14: Sovereign Grace – Unconditional Election
If we believe that salvation begins with our decision, we subtly place ourselves at the center of the gospel story. We imagine that God responds to our initiative, that grace is granted in reaction to our sincerity. And while this may feel empowering, it empties the gospel of its wonder.
When we reject unconditional election, we start to believe that faith is something we produced on our own. That we were wise enough, humble enough, or spiritual enough to say yes to God while others didn’t. But Scripture tells us otherwise—we were all blind, all rebellious, all dead in sin. If anyone comes to Christ, it is because the Father first gave them to the Son.
The danger isn’t just theological—it’s deeply personal. Without this doctrine, assurance becomes fragile. We start to wonder: Did I do enough? Was my decision real? Can I lose what I chose?
But if salvation begins with God's sovereign grace, then it rests entirely on His shoulders. And He does not fail. He does not un-choose. He does not abandon what He has begun.
This truth doesn’t discourage evangelism—it fuels it. We proclaim Christ boldly, knowing that God has a people, and He will draw them. We plant and water, but He gives the growth.
To deny this doctrine is to trade in worship for self-congratulation. But to embrace it is to fall on our faces in gratitude, knowing we were chosen not because of who we are—but because of who He is.
Conversational Evangelism:
Many people think salvation is something they 'chose' to do—so try asking:
“Do you think God loves you more on the days you’re doing well spiritually?”
Then offer this reflection:
“What if His love for you never started with your performance—and never depended on it in the first place?”
That opens the door to share the truth of sovereign grace: God doesn’t love us because we came to Him. We came to Him because He loved us first.
Call to Action:
This week, let your heart rest in the truth that your salvation was never fragile—it was never yours to earn, and it isn’t yours to hold together.
Take time to worship the God who chose you—not when you were strong, but when you were dead in sin. Thank Him for drawing you, saving you, and keeping you.
Fire Starter Question:
When did you realize that God chose you long before you chose Him—and how has that changed the way you view grace?
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This week's doctrine—Sovereign Grace – Unconditional Election—doesn't just shape what we believe. It also strengthens how we endure.
Sovereign Grace directly speaks to the emotional weight of:
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- Disgust
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- Insecurity
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- Unworthiness
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- Anxiety
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- Assurance
Whether you're walking through one of these right now or know someone who is, this doctrine offers more than answers—it offers anchored hope.
Want to explore these emotional struggles through a biblical lens?
Click below to dive deeper on the Ember app, where doctrine meets the heart.
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Sovereign Grace – Unconditional Election
This lesson introduced you to the core truth of Sovereign Grace – Unconditional Election, but that’s just the beginning.
To continue growing in this doctrine, explore these other Brushfires lessons that build on the same foundation:
Lesson 4, Lesson 14, Lesson 24, Lesson 34, Lesson 44
Click any of them to go deeper into how this doctrine shapes your understanding of God, yourself, and the world around you.