John 6:44 (ESV)
No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him.
“Who’s on First?” is a comedy routine made famous by American comedy duo Abbott and Costello. The premise of the sketch is that Abbott is identifying the players on a baseball team for Costello, but their names and nicknames can be interpreted as non-responsive answers to Costello’s questions. “Who” is on first, “What” is on second, “I Don’t Know” is on third, “Why” plays left field, and so on. The ensuing confusion is hilarious. Not so much with today’s short passage.
Predestination vs. man’s Free Will is a theological argument that has been raging for hundreds of years. Today’s short passage makes it pretty clear that God makes the first move in any person’s salvation experience. If you came to Jesus at some point in your life—and I certainly hope that is true—then it was God who moved first. He drew you towards Jesus. On the other side of the coin, John 3:16 tells us that the ball is in our court…that whoever believes in Jesus will have eternal life. That belief is volitional. It’s your choice. So…which is it? Who is on first and What is on second?
Yes.
A friend of mine has aptly stated that the doctrine of predestination does no violence to the doctrine of free will. The great British preacher and pastor of the 19th century, Charles H. Spurgeon, was once asked how he could reconcile God’s sovereign will (predestination) and man’s free will or responsibility. He famously replied, “I never have to reconcile friends. Divine sovereignty and human responsibility have never had a falling out with each other. I do not need to reconcile what God has joined together.” We have to rest in the fact that both can be true at the same time. God moves us AND we choose to believe.
I don’t want to open up Pandora’s Box here, but merely want to point out the beauty of the fact that if you are in Christ, the God of the Universe chose to draw you to him! Additionally, if you have a loved one or a friend who you just can’t seem to win over to Jesus, you need to rest in God’s sovereignty and timing. Perhaps this year isn’t the year, but maybe next year will be! Signs of interest in an unbeliever can be signs of God moving, and for that we should rejoice. If you are already in Christ, that started with God drawing you to His Son, and for that we should rejoice as well!
