“I saw an interesting statement that the apostle John attributes to Jesus,” Stan began, “but it raises all sorts of questions in my mind.”
“What did you see?” I responded.
“John records,” Stan replied, “that Jesus said that no one can come to Him unless the Father draws that person.”
“Sounds about right,” I replied. “What questions does that raise with you?”
“Well, to start with,” Stan said, “does that mean that God only wants to draw certain people, and the rest He just ignores.”
“But,” he continued, “it seems like the apostle Peter addressed that in his second letter where he wrote that God does not wish for any to perish. Thus, it seems that God is not willing to just ignore any of us.”
“Okay,” I said, “that settles it, doesn’t it?”
“No,” Stan replied. “It raises the next question in my mind of why don’t all people come to Jesus. Does God the Father not draw them?”
“What do you think?” I asked.
“Bottom line for me,” Stan replied, “is that God draws people, but He does not drag them.”
“Taking the best example I know,” he continued, “God clearly awakened in me the desire to know Him, but it wasn’t a done deal at that point. No, God left it up to me to respond to His drawing. He knew what He wanted, but He was not going to force the issue.”
“Just like the old expression,” I responded, “of being able to lead a horse to water, but not being able to force the horse to drink.”
“Exactly!” Stan exclaimed.
Continuing, he said, “God the Father clearly drew me to His Son, the source of all living water, but God did not, and He does not, force me to drink. He leaves that choice to me. And I think it is the same with everyone. God wants to draw all people, but He will not drag them against their will.”
“Just like everything else,” I replied, “it’s a choice. May I always choose rightly.”
“That, my friend,” Stan replied, “is my prayer.”
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No one can come to Me, unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day. John 6:44.
The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9.
Prayer: Thank you, Father, for drawing me to your Son. Thank you for the people you brought into my life to help me want to know you and your Son so that I can look forward with assurance to spending eternity with you when it is time. Thank you for the presence of your Holy Spirit who is in me to lead me in seeking, receiving, and embracing everything you have for me on this side of eternity. I ask you to help me in doing all I can to help others want to respond to your calling, to your wanting to draw them to you. Thank you I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus. Amen.
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Think on this: Where are you in your relationship with God? Open to being drawn Ito Him in the first instance? Into an ever-deeper relationship after that first step? Resisting?
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Comments, questions, suggestions, and the like can be addressed to The Storyteller at: waiting4thetrain@gmail.com.
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