Without the Spirit man is so infirm that he cannot, with all other means whatsoever, be enabled to think one right saving thought of God, of Christ, or of his blessed things.
All that the Father giveth me SHALL COME... Here, therefore, the Lord Jesus positively determineth to put forth such a sufficiency of all grace as shall effectually perform this promise. They shall come; that is, he will CAUSE them to come, by infusing of an effectual blessing into all the means that shall be used to that end.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote emphasizes that those chosen by God will inevitably receive grace and guidance to fulfill their purpose.
The quote by John Bunyan reflects the belief that divine grace is sufficient and will ensure that all individuals who are meant to come to Christ will do so. It underscores the idea that God plays an active role in drawing people towards Him through blessings and grace, indicating a predestined or assured divine influence in the journey of faith. This assurance is a source of hope and confidence for believers, affirming that their spiritual journey is supported and guided by a higher power.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
In a sermon about the assurance of faith and divine calling.
More from John Bunyan
All quotes →I saw, moreover, that it was not my good frame of heart that made my righteousness better, nor my bad frame that made my righteousness worse; for my righteousness was Jesus Christ himself, the same yesterday and today and forever.
For to speak the truth, there are but few that care thus to spend their time, but choose rather to be speaking of things to no profit.
I saw a man clothed with rags . . . a book in his hand, and a great burden upon his back.
Look how fears have presented themselves, so have supports and encouragements; yea, when I have started, even as it were at nothing else but my shadow, yet God, as being very tender of me, hath suffered me to be molested, but would with one Scripture or another, strengthen me against all; insomuch that I have often said, Were it awful, I could pray for greater trouble, for the greater comfort's sake.
There can be but one will the master in our salvation, but that shall never be the will of man, but of God; therefore man must be saved by grace.
Similar quotes
In proportion to the size of the vessel of faith, brought by us to the Lord, is the measure we draw out of His overflowing grace.
A prayerful heart and an obedient heart will learn, very slowly and not without sorrow, to stake everything on God Himself.
To pray is to change. This is a great grace. How good of God to provide a path whereby our lives can be taken over by love and joy and peace and patience and kindness and goodness and faithfulness and gentleness and self-control.
It is for us to do those things which the Lord requires at our hands, and leave the result with him.
It is the heart that is not sure of its God that is afraid to laugh in His presence.
My father has always prayed that his words would reflect God's standard of truth as the basis to claim, 'I have given them Your word' (John 17:14). In this book, I believe you will see that he has faithfully spoken God's Word that quenches the thirst of those seeking to draw from the wellsprings of Life. It is highly meaningful to see these statements now collected in one volume.