How does John 6:65 connect with Ephesians 2:8-9 on grace and faith? Anchoring Passages • John 6:65 — “Then Jesus said, ‘This is why I told you that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him by the Father.’” • 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 may boast.” Grace Initiates, Not Human Effort • Both texts insist that the first move is God’s, not ours. – John 6:65: access to Christ must “be granted.” – Ephesians 2:8: salvation is “by grace,” not self-generated. • The theme echoes John 6:44, Romans 9:16, and Titus 3:5—human striving can’t unlock the door; God’s grace swings it open. Faith Itself Is a Gift • Ephesians makes clear that even “faith” is “not from yourselves.” • John 6:65 supplies the backdrop: the Father grants what’s needed to come, including the capacity to believe (cf. Philippians 1:29). • Result: no boasting, only gratitude (1 Corinthians 1:30-31). One Unified Flow of Redemption 1. The Father grants approach (John 6:65). 2. That granting includes saving faith (Ephesians 2:8). 3. Salvation arrives “by grace…through faith,” secured entirely by God (Ephesians 2:8-9). Practical Takeaways • Confidence rests in God’s unbreakable initiative; our assurance is anchored outside ourselves (John 10:28-29). • Humility grows: any belief we possess is God-given, silencing pride (James 4:6). • Worship deepens: recognizing that grace and faith are gifts fuels heartfelt praise (Psalm 115:1). |
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