How does John 6:44 connect with Ephesians 2:8-9 on salvation? Setting the Verses Side by Side • 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.” • Ephesians 2:8-9 — “For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast.” Divine Initiative in Salvation • John 6:44 highlights the Father’s active role: He “draws” people to Christ. • Ephesians 2:8-9 underscores the same principle by declaring salvation “is the gift of God.” • Together, the verses show that from first stirring to final resurrection, salvation begins with God, not human effort (cf. Romans 8:29-30; Titus 3:5). Grace That Draws and Gives Faith • “Draws” (Greek helkō) implies a decisive pulling, not a mere invitation. • “By grace… through faith” reveals that even the faith by which we come is grace-given. • Acts 16:14 illustrates this dynamic: “The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message.” The same divine drawing opens hearts today. Human Inability and God’s Enabling Work • John 6:44 — “No one can come…” exposes human inability. • Ephesians 2:8 — “and this not from yourselves” repeats the point: nothing in us produces saving faith. • John 1:12-13 confirms it: believers are “born… not of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.” • The two passages together close the door on any salvation plan that relies on merit or human initiative. The Confidence of Being Raised Up • John 6:44 ends with promise: “I will raise him up on the last day.” • The certainty of future resurrection rests on the same grace that began the work (Philippians 1:6). • Because salvation is God’s gift, assurance is rock-solid; He finishes what He starts. Living in the Light of This Truth • Humility — boasting is impossible (Ephesians 2:9). • Gratitude — every step, from drawing to glorification, is grace. • Evangelistic Boldness — share confidently, knowing God still draws hearts (John 12:32). |
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