John 6: 29 Commentary

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I did not know how to rate. I double click the section thinking there was a pop-up by which to vote. The second time, when I noticed 3 votes rather that 2, I tried to change my vote to make it 5 star & found I had already voted 3 star (I guess). I have long held to the understanding that Marcos posted. If their is a way to make my vote 5 star please do so. I do not know how to use your website. I got here by searching for commentaries on 6:29 that agreed with me. I found it. So thanks. I do not go into as much detail.

My argument is that this passage makes the Work of God to believe (in him who he has sent) God’s work. It cannot be work that God requires of us for we are not saved by work; it must be the work God does on us at regeneration/rebirth from spiritually stinking dead corpses. Being that that faith is work it must be the work by which God implants concomitant to regeneration, else we are saved by our own work i.e. our natural faith is work.

Faith does not save us. The faith we receive at quickening/rebirth/being-born-again/regeneration does not save us, we understand we are saved by faith implanted with the new nature.

By Robert A Johnson (wrote 1 Bible Commentary - permalink to this Commentary)
Posted on: 12/11/2011 23:45 pm

It is true that Salvation is not of works (that is, acts) done by us. And it is true That whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. (John 3:15)

But, be it known, Jesus Christ Himself said that Believing on Him whom He hath sent is the work of God.

Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work (act ,that is, doing)of God, that ye believe on him whom He hath sent.
(John 6:29)

Believing is having faith, believing is an act. The very act of Believing is the work of God. Our believing on Jesus Christ depends upon God working in us both to will and to do of His good pleasure. (Phil 2:13)
And this Grace: The Divine influence which operates in men to do of His good pleasure is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy. This condition of one who is under such influence cannot stay ( the act of stopping) cannot stop God, seeing that all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and He doeth according to His will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay His hand, or say unto Him, What doest thou?
(Dan 4:35) He is in one mind, and who can turn Him? and what His soul desireth, even that He doeth. (Job 23:13) There are many devices in a man’s heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.
(Prov 19:21) The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: He turneth it whithersoever He will.
(Prov 21:1) A great example of this work of God is found in Ezra 1:1-6. It is God who puts it in our hearts to believe (Neh 2:12) For it is written, “Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.” Romans 9:6-24

Believing is a thing done, thus performed; to believe is to put forth action, thus, to act. The very act of believing is the work of God! Declare it again I will,Our believing in Jesus Christ depends upon God working in us. And this Grace is The Divine influence which operates in men to do His good purpose. This condition of one who is under such influence cannot stay ( the action of stopping) cannot stop God seeing that He doeth according to His will and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou? (Dan 4:35) God has declared the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure: (Isaiah 46:10). Surely if we do come to believe in Jesus Christ it is because it was God’s hand (His power, Psalms 110:3) and what His counsel determined before to be done. (Acts 4:23-28). It is because we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of Him who worketh all things after the counsel of His own will: (Eph 1:11). Why have we come to believe, because He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will (Eph 1:4-5). Saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began. (2 Tim 1:9)

By Marcus (wrote 4 Bible Commentaries - permalink to this Commentary)
Posted on: 8/9/2008 17:03 pm