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| Volume 27 Number 6 June 2025 |
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| Volume 27 Number 6 June 2025 |
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The Father Drew Me!
Rodney Nulph, Associate Editor
In a recent discussion, a man asked me if I believed that folks can only come to Jesus if the Father draws them. I said absolutely! Then, the discussion centered around not “if” the Father draws mankind to Himself, but “how.” Jesus told a group of dissenting Jews that “No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day” (John 6:44 KJV). A truer statement has never been uttered! There is not one single soul on earth that can come to Jesus unless He is drawn and persuaded. How, though, does God draw and persuade?
The Father drew me to Jesus by His Law. In the very context in which Jesus made the above true statement, Jesus went on to say, “It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me” (John 6:45). Notice carefully, “being taught and learning” are the direct result of hearing. Thus, logic drives us to the irrefutable conclusion that hearing God’s Law is essential to being drawn to Jesus, and without hearing God’s Law, one could never be drawn to the Savior! The Holy Spirit guided the apostle Paul to articulate it like this: “…and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?… So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:14b, 17 emp. added). This is certainly why Jesus affirmed, “He that hath ears to hear, let him hear” (Matthew 11:15). The ones who hear and obey God’s Law are the blessed ones (Luke 11:28). No doubt about it, the Father drew me by His Law!
The Father drew me to Jesus by His longsuffering. The longsuffering of our God is truly amazing and beyond our feeble abilities to fully comprehend. While some in Peter’s day scoffed and used God’s longsuffering as a supposed proof that God failed to keep His promises, Peter affirmed “…that our Lord’s patience means salvation…” (2 Peter 3:15b). The very reason for God’s longsuffering is so that “all would come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). As Paul would confirm, “Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?” (Romans 2:4). God’s longsuffering in Noah’s day was to draw people to God (1 Peter 3:20). God is holding back His wrath right now, waiting and longing for people to obey His Law. God’s longsuffering is another act of His kindness and mercy that should draw us close to His side.
The Father drew me to Jesus by His love. Of all the ways that God draws mankind to Himself, the love of God certainly ranks high. Of course, God’s Law and God’s Longsuffering are manifestations of His love. God is love (1 John 4:8), and to display that love for us to see, the Father sent Jesus to Calvary in our place (John 3:16). God could not display any greater love than giving us Jesus (John 15:13). True love is a motivation beyond compare. Jesus understood the power of His love, for He declared, “And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself” (John 12:32). How could a person hang on a cruel cross and draw people to himself? Love! The cross is God’s greatest display of love ever shown! God’s love for us is what draws us close to His side in humble obedience. As the apostle of love confirmed, “We love him, because he first loved us” (1 John 4:19).
If you are waiting on a miraculous, supernatural experience to come to Jesus, you are waiting for something that, scripturally, will never happen. Yet, if you are willing to analyze God’s Law, be appreciative of His Longsuffering and be amazed at His Love, you will be drawn to Jesus. God’s kindness and mercy are extended to all. Anyone who is willing can be drawn to God. The question is not whether God will draw you to Himself, the question is how will you respond to all that He has done and continues to do? I am so happy that the Father drew me!
