John 6:65-66 (WEL) Therefore he said, “That’s why I said to you that no one is able to come to me, unless it was given to him by my Father.” 66 From this many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.
V65 Therefore he said, “That’s why I said to you that no one is able to come to me, unless it was given to him by my Father.”
No one can seek God on their own initiative. God initiates salvation (John 16:8). God desires all to be saved (1 Timothy 2:4, John 3:16; John 12:32, 2 Corinthians 5:14, 1 John 2:2). Further, Titus 3:4 God gives the opportunity to believe the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He gives the opportunity, and we can accept or reject (2 Thessalonians 2:10): (Isaiah 55:6) “Seek the LORD while he may be found! Call on him while he is near!” Today is the day for salvation.
The enablement is not regeneration, it is initiation, the beginning of God’s work in every individual. Some evil theologies blaspheme God teaching that God only wants a small group of people saved.
V66 From this many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.
Why did they reject? People reject for 3 main reasons: 1) pride (“I’m a good person; I’ve done enough good works; my good works outnumber my sins.”), 2) love of sin (“I like my life the way it is; I’ll never give up my ____”), and/or lies from false religions or false teachers. In this case perhaps the reason is believing the Pharisees instead of the Scriptures.
We learn:
- Jesus’s warning.
- Do not be proud, love sin, or believe lies.
Questions:
- Have you believed the Gospel of Jesus Christ?
- Do you think you are a good person and don’t need Jesus?