God’s Effectual Drawing, by John Flavel. This is an excerpt from his work, The Method of Grace, Sermon 4: Concerning the Work of the Spirit, as the Internal, and Most Effectual Means of the Application of Christ. 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
According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed. Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;
~ Ephesians 1:4, Romans 8:30, Acts 13:48, Colossians 2:12, Philippians 1:29
They have not known nor understood: for he hath shut their eyes, that they cannot see; and their hearts, that they cannot understand. And none considereth in his heart, neither is there knowledge nor understanding to say, I have burned part of it in the fire; yea, also I have baked bread upon the coals thereof; I have roasted flesh, and eaten it: and shall I make the residue thereof an abomination? shall I fall down to the stock of a tree? He feedeth on ashes: a deceived heart hath turned him aside, that he cannot deliver his soul, nor say, Is there not a lie in my right hand? But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him: That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed? Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again, He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them.
~ Isaiah 44:18-20, John 12:37-40
At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee. Draw me, we will run after thee: the king hath brought me into his chambers: we will be glad and rejoice in thee, we will remember thy love more than wine: the upright love thee. I drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love: and I was to them as they that take off the yoke on their jaws, and I laid meat unto them. And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father. And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.
~ Matthew 11:25, Romans 8:7-8, John 12:32, Jeremiah 31:3, Song of Solomon 1:4, Hosea 11:4, John 6:65, John 6:39
The drawings of God are very effectual. There is indeed a common and ineffectual work upon hypocrites and apostates, called in Scripture a “morning cloud” and “early dew” (Hos 6:4). These may believe for a time and fall away at last (Luk 8:13). Their wills may be half won, they may be drawn half way to Christ and return again. So it was with Agrippa: “Almost (within a very little) thou persuadest me to be a Christian” (Act 26:28). But in God’s elected ones, it is effectual: their wills are not only almost, but altogether persuaded to embrace Christ and quit the ways of sin, [no matter] how pleasant, gainful, and dear soever they have been to them. The Lord not only draws but draws home those souls to Christ: “All that the Father giveth me shall come to me” (Joh 6:37).
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