THE TOTAL INABILITY OF MAN

JOHN 6:44

“No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day”

(John 6:44).

The Reformed or Augustinian doctrine of predestination is grounded in the fact that man is so depraved in his fallenness that apart from the irresistible grace of God, no one would ever turn to Christ. Jesus made this clear in John 6:44.

First, we notice that Jesus said “no one.” This is a universal negative statement. It does not mean that some cannot come unless the Father draws them. Rather, it means absolutely no one can come unless God does something first.

Second, we notice that Jesus said “can.” Remember the difference between the words can and may. Can means “is able,” while may means “has permission.” Jesus is not saying that no one has permission to come to Him. Rather, He is saying that no one is able to come to Him. This is the doctrine of man’s total inability.

Unless the Father Drags Him

Third, we notice the word unless. This introduces an exception. Apart from this exception, no one would ever turn to Christ.

Finally, we come to the word draw. Some have said that draw only means “woo” or “entice.” That is not the case, however. In James 2:6, we read, “Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court?” In Acts 16:19 we find, “They dragged them into the marketplace.” The same Greek word is used in all three verses. Obviously, enticement is not in view here.

Kittel’s Theological Dictionary of the New Testament says that the word translated draw in John 6:44 means “to compel by irresistible authority.” It was used in classical Greek for drawing water from a well. We do not entice or persuade water to leave the well; we force it against gravity to come up by drawing it. So it is with us. We are so depraved that God must drag us to Himself.

CORAM DEO

Think back to when God began to draw you to Himself (whether it was recently or long ago). What or whom did He use to bring you? As you think of that time today, thank God for His plan and the people He used to produce your conversion. If possible, communicate your gratitude to these people.

For further study: Job 15:14–16; Proverbs 20:9; Jeremiah 17:5–10

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