ESOCS Devotional 14 December 2021
TEXT: JOHN 6:41-58
MEMORY VERSE:
“No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day” (John 6:44 KJV).
Our God does draw people to Him, and no one can come to the Lord apart from God’s drawing power. But this is not a matter of God electing to save some of us and condemn others arbitrarily. God wants all to be saved, and the reason some are lost is not because God has unconditionally chosen them to be. God does not desire anyone to be lost. God made salvation available to all. Salvation is available for all men, not just a select few. Jesus died for everyone (Hebrews 2:9; John 3:16). God wants all to come to know the truth (I Timothy 2:4). The invitation is open to all, 24 hours a day.
The context of Jesus’ statement explains how God draws men and women to Himself. The following verse in the context (John 6:45) reveals how God draws men unto Himself. Note the words “taught” and “every man” (all drawn the same way; by being taught) and “hear” and “learn” and “come”.
The means or method by which God “calls” or “draws” all men is the Gospel (II Thessalonians 2:14). The Holy Spirit calls men through the gospel; and it is the gospel that is the power (Romans 1:16).
God draws people unto Himself through the teaching of the gospel. The preaching of the gospel is God’s power, His drawing power, to save (I Corinthians 1:18-21). Therefore, all people, when they hear the gospel, at any moment, have the ability to respond to God’s gospel call. They also have the ability to reject it (Acts 13:45-48).
Sinners are saved by God’s grace when they respond in faithful obedience to the gospel that draws them to God (Matthew 7:21). God is always ready for men to repent and obey (Acts 17:30). It is those who will do so that God has predestined for salvation (1 Thessalonians 5:9).
Will you call upon Him? For whoever will call upon the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Acts 2:21). The people who heard this wanted to know how to do so (Acts 2:37) They were told, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38).
- Have you responded to God’s call upon your life?
- Father, draw me to your Son and fill me with your Holy Spirit, in Jesus’ name.
Read Other ESOCS Devotional here
FURTHER READING: I Corinthians 1:18–21; Acts 13:45-48
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ESOCS Devotional 14 December 2021
