Drawn To Christ

December 14th, 2024
by Dr. D. Lance Waldie

John 6:44 “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him…”

In a summary statement about salvation, Jesus speaks of God’s efficacious grace in John 6:44. God actually “draws” people to Him and does not woo them as some falsely teach. The Greek word is used six times, five times by John. In 18:10, it is used in reference to a sword being drawn out for battle. In 21:6, 11 it is used for pulling in fish nets from the water. In 12:32, as in 6:44, “draw” is used for Jesus bringing people to Himself. Finally, in Acts 16:19 it is used for Paul and Silas who were dragged against their will to be tried before their persecutors. Thus, the word signifies a strong tug—an irresistible pull—on God’s part to those He will save.

The doctrine of God’s electing grace is a divisive doctrine, and although many choose to leave this debate to the theologians, it cannot be ignored. Although people have fought over this doctrine for centuries, it is very clear in Scripture. Though simple to understand, it is indeed very difficult to grasp. The simplicity is this: God chose some, but not all, to trust in Christ before He ever created anything. But being hard to grasp, some simply refuse to accept it as truth.

Jesus taught about predestination (aka, election). He said, “Many are called, but few are chosen” (Matt. 22:14). Likewise, “Unless the Lord had shortened those days, no life would have been saved; but for the sake of the elect, whom He chose, He shortened the days” (Mark 13:20). Note also what Acts 13:48 says: “When the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord; and as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed.”

In the Apostle Paul’s writings, he says, “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified” (Rom. 8:28-30). Ephesians 1:4-5 says, “…just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us…” Colossians 3:12 says, “So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience…”

Paul told the Thessalonians, “knowing, brethren beloved by God, His choice of you… But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth” (1 Thess. 1:4; 2 Thess. 2:13). To his protégé Timothy, Paul spoke of God, “who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity… For this reason I endure all things for the sake of those who are chosen, so that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus and with it eternal glory” (2 Tim. 1:9; 2 Tim. 2:10). Likewise, Paul told his protégé Titus that he was “a bond-servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the faith of those chosen of God and the knowledge of the truth which is according to godliness…” (1:1).

Finally, consider James 2:5: “Did not God choose the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?” Peter says as much, writing, “to those who reside as aliens, scattered throughout… who are chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood… you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light…” (1 Pet. 1:1-2; 2:9, italics mine).

Food for Thought

The doctrine of election, of predestination, may divide folks who call themselves Christians. But why? Yes, it is a difficult doctrine to grasp, but it is clearly spelled out in the Bible. From Jesus to Paul to James to Peter, the doctrine fills the pages of holy Scripture. And these men are the greatest evangelists the world has ever known. We therefore must never deny it! There have certainly been preachers who deny the doctrine, but they cannot deny it from Scripture. We must allow Scripture to mold us and not allow ourselves to mold it. In believing in predestination, we are not Calvinists per se; we are biblicists—followers of the teachings of Christ through Scripture. John Calvin was a biblicist, and that is why he believed in predestination. How about you?