8 Minute Read
Today’s Bible Reading:
1 Samuel 10:1–11:15
John 6:43-71
Psalm 107:1-43
Proverbs 15:1-3
Today’s Bible Verse(s):
John 6:44 (NLT): “For no one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them to me, and at the last day I will raise them up.”
Reflections on Today’s Bible Verse(s):
The verse I have chosen for today tells us that no one goes to God in salvation unless God has initiated the relationship. God begins the process, then we respond.
This is a beautiful truth, and those who deny it not only reject Scripture but also rob themselves of a blessing.
John 6:44 (NLT): “For no one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them to me, and at the last day I will raise them up.”
Let me illustrate…
Imagine you are a young child again. You have gathered with a group of other kids on a field and are prepared to play a game of kickball. Team captains are selected, and they begin to choose their team members. Back and forth they go as the number of kids behind them grows, and the pool of potential team players gets smaller.
Now imagine that there is an odd number of potential players. When both team captains have made their selections, and an equal number of players stand behind them, they realize that one player is left over. He stands awkwardly in front of everyone as the team captains decide who gets him. Then, as if to simply finish the job so that they can play ball, the lone child is told that he can choose which team he wants to play on. He sheepishly makes his pick and, with his head aimed at the ground, slowly takes his place with one of the teams but silently wanders if they even want him. Honestly, he wanted to play kickball, but now he just wants to go home.
Now, let me ask you a question: Would you rather be one of the selected children, or would you rather be the one who got to make his own choice?
To tell you the truth, I would much rather be selected. That would make me feel like I’m wanted. It would make me feel valuable.
Friend, there is a paradox in Scripture regarding this matter. Some Bible passages tell us that it is our responsibility to believe (John 3:36) and that absolutely anyone who chooses may come to the Lord and be saved (Revelation 22:17).
But, if the choice was solely ours, we might wonder if God even wants us. After choosing Him, we may wonder if He would have chosen us.
Praise the Lord that God does choose us! The verse I have chosen for today tells us that when we come to God, it is because He first reached out to us and drew us to Himself. That means that God did want us! We are in His family because He chose us!
There is incredible joy in knowing that God has chosen us!
Someone has said that there is a doorway to salvation. As we approach the door to be saved, we see that above the entrance is written: “Let anyone who is thirsty come.” (Revelation 22:17). And when we walk through the doorway and are saved, then we look back to the entrance and see that above this side of the door, it says that “God loved us and chose us … Even before he made the world” (Ephesians 1:4).
To be saved, you must choose God, my friend. There’s no getting around that. If you end up spending eternity in Hell, it’s not God’s fault. It’s yours for not choosing Him.
But, if you choose Him, you can rest assured that it’s because He reached out to you first. You chose Him, but He also picked you. Find comfort and joy in that thought today.
John 6:44 (NLT): “For no one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them to me, and at the last day I will raise them up.”
Matt Ellis is the pastor of First Baptist Church in Polk City, Florida (fbcpolkcity.com). His latest book is God’s Grace in the Real World. Connect with him on Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn.
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