Unless the Father Draws Them
John 6:65–66 NIV
“This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled them.” From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.
We know our mission is to make disciples of Jesus (Matt. 28:18-20), and to be witnesses of the Good News of Jesus (Acts 1:8) so people will trust in and follow him. However, there may be times when it feels that our efforts are futile. Perhaps we’ve talked to our neighbor about God and Jesus, we’ve tried to be a good example of his love, but it doesn’t seem to be going anywhere. They still staunchly refuse to believe. Or perhaps you have had a child or grandchild who walked away from the Lord, and no matter what you say or do, they may respect your “opinion”, but it’s not their thing. We wonder, “Can’t they see God exists and loves them and wants a relationship with them? Can’t they see they see why Jesus died for them so they would be forgiven of their sin and be in right relationship with God? Surely, they see how following God will lead to a purpose filled, more satisfying and fulfilling life (and eternal life)?” The truth is, they may not (at least right now), or they may just refuse to listen and believe.
Jesus said, that no one comes to the Father unless he has enabled them (John 6:65). Calvinists (Reformed) would argue this means only those whom God has chosen, the elect, will respond to the Good News. Wesleyans (Methodists) would argue that God desires for all to be saved (1 Tim. 2:4), and he pursues all the lost, but God doesn’t move on the hearts of everyone in the same way or time. And then there is the human factor, in our free will, we resist God because we want things our way. In any case, we realize that God the Father is not moving on everyone’s heart to draw them to God in the same way or time. If we find ourselves discouraged that our efforts seem fruitless, then consider that even Jesus didn’t have many people believe in him even though they saw his miracles, and heard his teachings. And even many of those who did follow him, left him when his teachings were difficult (John 6:66).
What we should appreciate is that ANYONE coming to faith in Jesus is a miracle. It is not just because of our good argument, or our profound testimony, witness, or example, or “because the Bible says so and you should believe it”. Those might be factors God uses to touch their hearts, but unless God is drawing them, and his Spirit moving on their hearts, it just won’t happen. We can (and should) continue sowing seeds, which God may use to eventually get their attention. We can pray for God to open their hearts, and give us the right words or loving approaches, but, in the end, it is entirely a spiritual movement of God. Don’t be discouraged and lose hope. God certainly has not given up on them (just as he has not given up on us). Continue being a witness for Jesus, sow seeds of hope, and pray for God to do the heart work.