allennelson4

I don’t think you understand what I’m saying regarding the work. We must repent and believe. We must come to Christ. And that only happens once God enables His Elect to do so. It’s not that we work and then God is obligated to respond! By no means! I thought I was careful in explaining that, but I guess I wasn’t (see above: “work and obedience flow FROM a changed heart, not to receive a changed heart.” Meaning that God changes our heart and then we come to Christ, partaking of the Bread of Life). The “work” is only in response to the gracious gift of God’s drawing. You must come to Christ, but that is impossible unless the Father first enables you to do so. The rest of the passage completly supports this positon. Noting v.44 “No one CAN…” No one has the ability to “work” or “seek” Jesus, or repent, or come to Christ. They cannont do it, no ability is there. The only way they can partake is if the Father graciously draws them… “So the unconditional certainty of the Giving, and the term for giving, granting, bestowing, rather than the payment of an obligation is used, removes any opportunity to see the giving as a reward for work done.” I agree completely. It is NOT “conditional” in the sense that God is obligated, it’s simply a statement of truth, a reality, only those working for the bread receive it, but no one can work for the bread! No one CAN come! Unless the Father’s draws Him. Those working for the bread receive the bread but they aren’t working for the bread b/c they have the ability to do so! God has enabled them to do so! Again, what you are trying to put forth here makes everyone saved. You say you’re just trying to stick with this verse but if you take it as is with your interpretation it is that Jesus is going to give everyone the bread, and that’s not true, because the bread ENDURES to eternal life. It’s not based on whether or not man wants to “accept” it (i.e. work for it!) It DOES endure! That’s why all the Elect WILL be saved even if their natural dispostion, like all mankind is to not seek God, to reject Him… And this type of theology is pretty offensive. That’s why many disciples left once Jesus explained it clearly cf. v.66