There are some
statements in the Bible so provocative, so plain, that we are compelled to
believe them, ignore them, or deny them. They defy attempts to explain them
away or re-interpret them according to our traditions. They are so clear, so
potent, that we must either confess the passage is true or the Bible is
entirely false.
John 6:37 is
such a passage. There Jesus announces, “All that the Father gives me will come
to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out.” You may be thinking, ‘But
we must preach the gospel to them!’ That is certainly true; the gospel is God’s
means of drawing men to salvation (John 6:44-45; Rom. 10:13-17). But do you
believe what Jesus said, that some are foreknown by God (Eph. 1:4; Rev. 13:8),
given to Christ (John 17:6), who will inevitably come (John 10:16; Acts 18:10),
being effectually drawn (Acts 13:48; 16:14), and being united with Christ (John
15:16) will never be separated from him (John 10:28-29)?
John 6:37 is a
passage that will either trouble us or comfort us, perhaps both at different
points in our spiritual journey. The success of the gospel in saving souls does
not depend on our ingenuity or persuasiveness. It depends on the sovereign and
eternal purpose of a gracious and loving Savior who does whatever he pleases in
heaven and on earth (Psa. 135:6). “The Lord knows those who are his” (2Tim.
2:19). Praise God that he knew those of us who are believers, that we heard the
Shepherd’s voice and came when he called (John 10:27). Thank God that more will
do so until all those foreknown, predestined, called, and justified are, in the
end, glorified (Rom. 8:28-30).
This passage and
others like it which speak of God’s eternal, electing purpose, are actually a
great incentive to evangelism. If I thought the salvation of any soul hung on
my persuasiveness, I would fear to ever share the gospel. But I know the gospel
is guaranteed to succeed. Christ’s sheep will
hear his voice. They will recognize
his doctrine (John 7:17). They will
repent, believe, and come. So do not fear either rejection or your own
inability. The gospel is God’s power to save, and save it will, because the Lord
who reigns decreed it. -JME
