As mentioned in the introduction, I have been been discussing the differences between Calvinism and Provisionalism with a fellow blogger. One particular response grabbed my attention and I am trying to understand his position, by referring to his proof texts and logic.
This is the fifth portion of his response (in red), along with the corresponding verse he referred to. I shall seek to comment on the verses and find his argument within the verses he has provided.
Natural man can’t tell the difference between good and evil and Jesus said none are good except for God. They are responsible because God is Sovereign. He has the right to do with His creation as he sees fit His righteousness isn’t to be judged by fallen man’s sense of righteousness imputed from the Garden of Eden. Belief is the work of God John 6:29
John 6:29 – Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.”
It has been a while since I have published any responses to the “Calvin’s Concern” series, and coincidentally “tripped” over the video below.
The video walks us through a word for word teaching of the passage, highlighting the intent of the verse, that is, the emphasis on the person of Christ. Jesus third person reference to himself when speaking to this particular audience (Pharisees) shouts out the Deity of His Messiahship. The Scripture speaks of Him, and it serves us well to consider the pre-eminence of His person when approaching the Word.
Beyond the refreshing refocus on the person of Christ in the discussion on this passage, to say that “belief is the work of God” seems to be missing the mark when considering this verse. Does not the passage inform us of the work of God, that is that “you believe”. The directive of action is associated with the audience, and the only work directly associated with God is that He sent His Messiah.
Now that God has sent His Messiah, you need to believe in Him.
The context speaks of Jesus answering the Pharisees in their (sarcastic) request “What must we do, to be doing the works of God? The Pharisees, at this point in the ministry of the Savior, were not humbly coming to the Master for guidance, but mocking Him and seeking ways to entrap Him. Jesus refocused them with this verse, by referring Himself in the same manner that God refers to Himself in the Old Testament, and laying on the Pharisees the responsibility to believe in Him.
As you watch this 2 minute clip, humor me as he speaks the greek, but notice the skill this teacher has is walking us through this famous verse. After his explanation, consider the message that Jesus spoke 2,000 yrs ago. Believe in Him.
Let me know your thoughts. I look forward to a cogent and precise discussion.
I do hope you will continue with me as I seek to understand the verses he supplies and if the verses he supplied support his argument of fatalism/determinism which he speaks of.
Thanks again for coming to visit. I hope you found something of interest in this post and would appreciate a comment, to begin a discussion.
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As mentioned in the introduction, I have been been discussing the differences between Calvinism and Provisionalism with a fellow blogger. One particular response grabbed my attention and I am trying to understand his position, by referring to his proof texts and logic.
This is the sixth (and final) portion of his response (in red), along with the corresponding verses he referred to. I shall seek to comment on the verses and find his argument within the verses he has provided.
God is saving a people unconditionally Romans 9:11 according to election God promises to save a people and He can’t wait around for someone who has no desire or the ability to come. I will rely on scripture that he shows mercy unconditionally to whom he chooses.
Romans 9:11 – though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad–in order that God’s purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of him who calls–
I do hope you will continue with me as I seek to understand the verses he supplies and if the verses he supplied support his argument of fatalism/determinism which he speaks of.
Thanks again for coming to visit. I hope you found something of interest in this post and would appreciate a comment, to begin a discussion.
Considering the Bible 
True, The Gospel of Grace conditioned on the work of Christ alone promises, secures and ensures at the cross ( It is finished) the salvation of those people He promised to save who were chosen from before the foundation of world, is good news .
This Gospel is good news because nothing can interfere with God’s desire and the accomplishment of the salvation of His people. He does all His desires.
The false Gospel that conditions salvation on man’s “Free Will” belief to come or conditions salvation on anything from man is not good news.
This False Gospel worships and depends and prays to a god that cannot save. Since this Gospel cannot secure salvation and change an uninterested heart to come; it cannot be good news and anyone that believes it, is still lost and needs to change His mind and believe that the Gospel of Christ is the power of God unto salvation to the believing because in the Gospel of God is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith for the just (justified) shall live by faith.
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John 6:26-30
26 Jesus answered them and said, Truly, truly, I say to you, You seek Me not be- cause you saw miraculous signs, but be- cause you ate of the loaves of bread and were satisfied
27 Do not work for the food, the one per- ishing, but for the food, the one enduring to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give to you; for God the Father sealed Him.
28 ¶ Then they said to Him, What may we do that we may work the works of God?
Comment
According to the context above these persons didn’t believe into Jesus; but were interested only in doing the works of God for food; since they ate prior and were satisfied and now appeared interested only in gaining the ability to work the works of God that would produce food.
These were the works of God that they appeared to be interested in working. The works of God that satisfies the flesh.
29 Jesus answered and said to them, This is the work of God, that you believe into
Him whom that One sent.
30 Therefore they said to Him, Then what
miraculous sign do You do that we may see and may believe You? What do You work?
Since Jesus knew their motive of wanting to do the works of God for food; He flips their question upside down; not giving them the answer that would give them the ability to do the works of God for food and answers the question by telling them about the work that only God can do in saying
“ This is the work of God”. Who’s work? God’s work!
He doesn’t give the answer that would give them the ability to do the works of God for food; but He tells them what the work of God is and in making that statement shows the work only He can do. “This is the work of God”
He answers them “ This is the work of God” please take note of who’s work it is and what the work is.
It is God’s work that you believe into Him whom that one sent.
God works the belief (in natural man) into the one whom He sent. Isn’t that what the scripture says?
The video narrator states the following and adds words and changes the meaning by adding words in His explanation.
“ What should we do that we would do the works that God requires” ( please notice the addition of “God requires” but makes no mention that “ This is the work of God” (not man’s work)
“What is it that God demands of us?”
“What does God want from us?”
”What is necessary to do the work to live the life that God requires?”
Please notice the addition of words which change the simple meaning of John 6:29
“ What does God want from us”? etc
He doesn’t mention that Belief is God’s work
Doesn’t John 6:29 say “ This is the work of God”
John 6:29 says “ This is the work of God” The verse does not say it the way according to his quoted meaning
“This is the work that God requires”
“What does God want us to do ?”
“Believe in Me”
John 6:29 very simply states What the work of God is (not the work that originates with natural man) and that work of God is that you believe into Him that one sent.
Once again, John 6:29 is another verse that does not support Free Will
It does not support a salvation conditioned on the sinner and does not eliminate a Gospel that is conditioned on the work of Christ alone which is by Grace alone
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Could not God’s work be the sending of the Messiah?
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Yes, God sent Jesus to seek and to save His people. He accomplished this in the atonement as the substitute for His people through His shed blood and imputed perfect righteousness ; but in the context of John 6:29, God tells us exactly and specifically what His work is that He is doing in this context “ This is the work of God” that you believe in The (one) whom He sent.
It is plainly stated that He is working in His people the belief into the whom He sent and then in Philippians we read He completes the work He starts by continuing to work the willing and the doing in His people for His good pleasure according to the counsel of His will and in
John 6:37-39 we read He does not lose any of those He is working in and those persons are the same people the Father gives to Jesus who will never be lost. That is good news !
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The gospel is great news
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