I found this question asked on another blog. The response to this question was close to the truth, but because the person did not fully understand the True Grace of God, he was unable to answer the question directly and properly. It’s funny that he mentioned the Doctrines of Grace, yet he did not appear to have any concept of what they truly were. I will answer some of the questions that were asked by the inquirer. Note that the inquirer has posted his questions in regards to John 6:44 and 6:65.
If this is true, doesn’t that mean that some people simply can’t find God?
Yes, there are some that cannot, and will not, find God. Please take note that I said “some“. Unlike traditional teaching, the scriptures reveal that a people numbered as the sands of the seashore and as the stars of the heavens, are God’s elect people, to whom He will show mercy. Then scripture reveals that only a few of those will be presently saved. These seemingly contradictory statements can only be understood, when True Grace is properly comprehended. God’s mercy upon a chosen people is by grace and grace alone, without works, without prejudice, without warrant, merit, or having done anything to deserve it. Then, we must look at the teachings of Jesus. There is a particular recorded teaching found in Matthew, Mark, and Luke to which many refer as the “rich young ruler“. In this teaching “… one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?“. It is clearly evident what this person is seeking to obtain. Most Christian leaders today would immediately tell this person to believe in Christ, and take this person on a scriptural path referred to as the Roman road. But Jesus never said anything about believing, but instead responded by telling this person, “if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments“. This is clearly a salvation by works. One must ask, “how can this be?” Scripture further reveals that there is a salvation to which the child of God should “take hold of” now, in the present, a salvation which is the earnest of the salvation that is given first by grace.
And if this is the case, why would those people be held accountable for their sins if they simply couldn’t bring themselves to believe in God..and not even because its their own fault?
There is but one person who is accountable for the sins of all mankind, as Paul taught in Romans 5, and that is Adam. It was by the single transgression of Adam that the judgment of condemnation was passed upon all mankind. But Paul also teaches in this same chapter, comparing Adam to Christ, only with the opposite effect. Just as by one, the judgment of condemnation was passed upon all mankind, “But not as the offence, so also [is] the free gift“. By the death of Christ, so also was – pass tense – the free gift given to all of God’s chosen, by grace, before they were born, while they were yet sinners. But once they are enabled, by regeneration, having been eternally saved by grace, they are held accountable for their own individual sins. And it is Jesus Christ, the mediator, who determines if we are to be given a reward for our obedience. “Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect?” Jesus Christ. “Who [is] he that condemneth?” Jesus Christ, “who also maketh intercession for us“.
Those scriptures say that we can’t come to Christ unless the Father (God) chooses us. If we can’t come to him, how can we find salvation for our sins? (This person is referring to John 6:44 and 6:65 from which his questions originated)
It is true; no one can come unless the Father draws him. But you must properly understand what this says. Jesus is teaching that a person cannot “come“, just as a person cannot come from point A to point B without a means. One must also properly understand what the two points are, and we can find that defined elsewhere in scripture. Colossians provides the most descriptive passage, “Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated [us] into the kingdom of his dear Son“. This is the salvation which is by grace alone. Let us look at yet another passage from John 6 that is often misunderstood. “All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.” In other words, each one that is drawn – delivered from the power of darkness by regeneration – , will certainly be delivered into my domain. Then anyone from this group that “cometh” – converts – to me I will in no wise cast him out. This is the promise made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob – I will not cast them away, neither will I abhor them, to destroy them utterly, and to break my covenant with them: for I [am] the LORD their God“. (Leviticus 26) I recommend a read of this chapter from Leviticus. It is very revealing and provides much insight into God’s plan.
I know a lot of people, agnostics and atheists that I have sincerely tried to find God, but could not. Is it possible (at all possible…) that God simply didn’t choose them?
Yes, it is very possible. However, I doubt it. We are commanded in Gods word not to judge according to the flesh. We cannot look at these people and know whether or not they are regenerate. If they were to believe, then that is a sure sign that they have. But we cannot know should they chose to continue wearing the old man. This is the error that is so prevalent today. They correctly preach salvation by grace, unwarranted, unmerited, undeserved, but then attempt to judge whether a person is regenerate by his works, completely dismissing their own doctrines.
There is one reply, by the person attempting to answer these questions, that I would like to comment on as well.
God has the ability to overcome our will if He so chooses to draw us to Him by the Holy Spirit. Only at that instance can we come to salvation.
What!? This person is now placing the blame on God, for the individual’s transgression. There is not a single passage to support such a proclamation. In fact, Paul teaches just the opposite, “For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live” and “Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?” It is the individual’s responsibility to use the Holy Spirit to mortify the deeds of the flesh. God does not use the Holy Spirit to cause a man to live righteously. A person is enabled at regeneration, having the dominion of the old nature loosed, to take hold of the power of the Holy Spirit to help him turn from his sinful lifestyle, to a lifestyle of living righteously through Christ. “For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace“. “But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you“.
There are also two third party comments to which I would like to comment:
Yup, this is Calvinism in a nutshell: God decides who is saved. I’m always curious how people who embrace this theology then try to dodge the question as to why God wants most people to go to Hell. Though granted, any theology that includes hell with an all-powerful God runs into the same problem, but it’s just that much more obvious with Calvinism.
Again, we have a person who has errantly been taught that we can judge whether or not a person has been saved by grace, by observing his works. The truth is that God, through the sacrifice of one, has by grace, shown mercy to a people that is numbered as the sands of the seashore and the stars in the heavens. A people so numerous, that it exceeds by far, the number of people who have demonstrated their regeneration, by their faith, throughout all of history. As Paul clearly states in Romans 5, it is because of the transgression of Adam that all mankind was heading for hell, not God who wants most people to go to hell. It was God who, by grace, and by offering His Son as a sacrificial lamb, saved an enumerable number of people from hell.
Most people aren’t Christians, ergo most people are going to hell according to Christian theology. And then, according to many Christians, even most people who call themselves Christians aren’t “true” Christians, meaning even more people are going there.
Yes, in accordance with the false teachings which abound today, anyone who does not exhibit an outward manifestation of righteousness is considered to be heading straight to hell. But these teachings profess salvation by grace but then judge if grace is applied by observing ones works. If by their works they are saved, then it cannot be by grace. Yes again, only a few are “true Christians“, because a Christian is “Christ like“. This is why I prefer not to use this term, which has been twisted and perverted in today’s society. I even hesitate to define myself as “Christ like“, because I have realized just how sinful I am. But when True Grace is discovered, then grace abounds, and the glory of God is exalted. When grace is truly grace – freely given – then the true gospel is found. To this we are commanded to trust and place our faith. It is only when we do this that we are able to find rest in Christ, without worrying whether we have enough faith to secure our place in heaven.
