Who Does The Father Draw?

Q

John 6:44 says, “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.” Are there people who are eternally lost because the Father has not drawn them to himself?

A

First of all, God doesn’t want any to be lost, but for all to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). In 1 Tim. 2:3-4 Paul confirmed that God wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. Therefore the door to salvation stands open to every person for the duration of his or her lifetime.

We know this because Jesus said God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believes in Him would not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16). From this and other passages, it’s clear that we decide whether or not God will draw us to Him. Everyone who asks, receives (Matt. 7:7). Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved (Romans 10:13).

Romans 8:29-30 explains how the process works.

For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

Knowing the end from the beginning, God knew the name of everyone who would accept the remedy He would provide for their sins before the first man was created. (He foreknew.) He made a reservation for each one of them in His Kingdom. (He predestined.) At some point in their lives He calls them and He keeps calling until they respond. (He called.) When they respond, and they all do, He applies His blood as payment in full for their sins rendering them clean. ( He Justified.) At the Rapture / Resurrection He will give them glorified bodies to dwell in His presence for eternity. (He Glorified.)

In John 6:44, Jesus was referring to the fact that the Father only calls those He already knows will come, having seen them do so. He doesn’t call any who won’t come (John 6:37) and He doesn’t lose any who have come (John 6:39).