Prior Book | Prior Chapter | Prior Verse | Next Verse | Next Chapter | Next Book | Viewing NASB and Amplified 2015 | |
NASB | John 6:44 "No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | John 6:44 "No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him [giving him the desire to come to Me]; and I will raise him up [from the dead] on the last day. |
Subject: Is the quote presumptuous? |
Bible Note: God is faithful and will fulfill his end of the bargain. But in the context of all the cited verses, Paul speaks of the obligation of one hoping to be the recipient of such awesome blessings. Notice Romans 8:12-14: "So then, brethren, we are debtors, but not to the flesh, to live of the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh, you will surely die. But if through the power of the Spirit you are putting to death the evil deeds prompted by the body, you shall live forever. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God." Notice that little often overlooked word "IF." Yes, if you put away the works of the flesh you will be saved. Thus endurance under test is needed. The power beyond what is nornal will be provided IF we rely on God and act courageously to apply his righteous ways in our daily lives. In Phillipians 3:12,13 Pauls acknowledges: "Not that I have now attained [this ideal], or have already been made perfect, but I press on to lay hold of and make my own, that for which Christ Jesus has laid hold of me and made me His own. I do not consider, brethren, that I have captured and made it my own yet; but one thing I do [it is my one aspiration]: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead." Notice however what Paul proclaims at 2 Tim 4:7,8: "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. [As to what remains] henceforth there is laid up for me the [victor's] crown of righteousness [for being right with God and doing right], which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me and recompense me on that [great] day--and not to me only, but also to all those who have loved and yearned for and welcomed His appearing." Why the difference? Verse 6 indicates he knew his death was imminent, and he knew he had endured to the end! God would not forget his works nor the love he had for his name. Peter speaks encouragingly to Christians in order to build them up in the face of persecution. However, 1 Pet 4:18 states: "For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And, "If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?" Chapter 5:8 talks about the possibility of the Devil causing one's spiritual death. Why is it even hard for the righteous to be saved? Why judge the house of God? Persecution will make it difficult to maintain an approved standing before God. And, not all saying "Lord, Lord" are actually doing the Father's will, thus will not be saved. (Matt 7:21) Yes, IF is a big word, but not one we need to dread. God's commandments are not burdensome, but loving. |