5 minutes a day 5 days a week All the New Testament in a year

John 6:44 – “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him.” I pray for people who are lost. Does not this verse clearly tell us we must pray for God to draw them to Jesus? Do we think we're special? “The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ who is the image of God.” - (2 Cor 4:4). What are your thoughts?

Sincerely, Praying For The Lost

Dear Praying For The Lost,

It is true that we should pray for the lost, but you misunderstand Jhn 6:44. When Jesus says, “No one can come unless the Father draws him,” you are assuming He means that the Father draws people through some direct miraculous intervention. In the very next verse, Jesus explains that God draws people to Him through teaching and learning. God’s chosen tool to bring salvation to mankind is His Word (Rom 1:16). It is true that the devil has blinded people (2 Cor. 4:4), but he blinds them through deceiving and lying to them (Rev 12:9).

There is an immense need for more prayer among God’s people. We should pray that the Word of God finds good soil in honest and good hearts (Lk 8:11-15)… hearts that are open to God’s Word, so that when they hear it, they will believe and obey (Rom 10:17).

5 minutes a day 5 days a week All the New Testament in a year

What does the Bible say about genetic predispositions to sin? Isn't it true that we are all tempted equally but in different ways?  Isn't this a slippery slope? Wouldn't a child molester be able to use this thin defense?

Sincerely, Victim Mentality

Dear Victim Mentality,

People have predispositions toward different types of sin. It takes only a short observation of people’s personalities to see that everyone is different. We all have unique struggles and temptations. Peter struggled to confess Christ (Matt 26:75). David struggled with lust (2 Sam 11:2). Paul struggled with being stubborn (Acts 26:14). Thomas struggled with doubt (Jhn 20:24-25). One brother might struggle with keeping his temper, while another never has that problem.

These predispositions don’t remove responsibility. Peter was condemned for denying Christ, and then Peter grew to have the courage to preach Christ (Acts 2:14). Judas had the same problem of denying Christ, and he never repented (Acts 1:25). Everyone has a choice. We are not all tempted equally. I have no doubt that Jesus had much stronger temptation in His life than we ever will. We are, however, never tempted beyond what we can bear, and God always provides a way of escape from sin (1 Cor 10:13). There is no excuse for living a sinful life (Rom 2:1-2).

5 minutes a day 5 days a week All the New Testament in a year