God's Drawing and Our Faith

 
In close relation to the perseverance of the saints teaching (which states that the elect are made to persevere in faith until the end), it is taught by Calvinist teaching that, because of “total depravity,” even the faith one must have toward God for initial salvation is made to happen (Calvinist teaching of irresistible grace). In truth, according to Jesus’ own words to the Jewish people who did not believe in Him (see John 6:37, 44, and 65), all are not given revelation of who Jesus is (in order that they might believe on Him for salvation). Only those “given” to Him by the Father may come to Him. From other statements made by Jesus, however, it is not right to conclude that those unable to see Jesus had been unable to respond to the Father and to have faith toward the Father first. Consider the rest of Jesus’ words concerning those given eyes to see the Son:

• John 6:44-45
  “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the Prophets: ‘They will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who listens to the Father and learns from him comes to me.” (NIV1984)
  
  

• John 7:17
  “If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak on My own authority.” (NKJV)
  
  

• John 10:37-38
   “If I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe Me; but if I do, though you do not believe Me, believe the works, that you may know and believe [“that you may know and continue to know” IGNT] that the Father is in Me, and I in Him.” (NKJV, emphasis mine)
  
  

Those given eyes to see who Jesus is (who, in the end, also will be presented unto the Bridegroom) appear to be ones who have responded well to things already given by the Father—ones who have truly listened to the Father and decided to go His way. Just as Romans 1:18-32 states, all have had the revelation needed for responding to and calling out to the Father.

Quite significantly, within the words of John 10:37-38, Jesus spoke of the reason some do not see Him, and of the hope still remaining for those who do not. If only they would but acknowledge the Father’s workings in things that can be seen, they might receive further revelation in order to believe on the Son.

God is so great in His mercy! We should continue to pray that people would fear God—so that they might receive His gift of grace.

The above excerpt is from the chapter entitled "Our Real Effect upon Our Salvation," found within the book God's Sovereignty and Our Responsibility: His Heart for All Men. Copyright © 2016 by Pamela K. Gourley. PlainFocus Books. Fredericksburg, VA. All rights reserved.

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