What Does It Mean when Jesus say No one come to me unless the father enables them in (john 6:65) In biblical terms, being “granted” or “enabled“ refers to receiving divine empowerment to do something that a person cannot accomplish through natural effort or intellect. The Greek word used in John 6:65 for “enabled” is “δίδωμι” (didōmi) which means “to give, grant, bestow.” It implies that spiritual capacity is a gift, not a human achievement. 1. Salvation Is a Gift, Not a Human Decision John 6:65 (NIV):“He went on to say, ‘This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled them.’” Jesus spoke these words after many of His disciples walked away due to His challenging teachings (John 6:60–66). He clarified that faith in Him is not merely a personal choice, but something that the Father must initiate and empower. This echoes: John 6:44 (NIV):“No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day.” The word “draws” (Greek: helkō) implies an active pulling or attracting. Human beings, by nature, are spiritually dead (Ephesians 2:1), and only God can awaken the heart to seek Him (see also 1 Corinthians 2:14). Salvation, then, is by grace: Ephesians 2:8–9 (NIV):“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” 2. Spiritual Understanding Is Divinely Given Matthew 13:11 (NIV):“He replied, ‘Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them.’” Jesus distinguishes between general hearing and spiritual understanding. While many heard the parables, only the disciples received insight into their true meanings. The word “given” again shows this is not natural comprehension, but divine revelation. 1 Corinthians 2:14 (NIV):“The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness…” Spiritual truths require the illumination of the Holy Spirit (John 16:13). That’s why theological education alone—without spiritual regeneration—can lead to head knowledge without transformation (Romans 12:2). If you understand God’s Word correctly, this is cause for humility and gratitude, not pride. 3. Ministry Is Empowered by God’s Strength 1 Peter 4:11 (NIV):“If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides…” Here, the apostle Peter instructs all ministry to be spiritually sourced. No matter how gifted someone is, true ministry only bears fruit if it is done through God’s grace and power (see also Romans 12:6–8). The apostle Paul reinforces this: 2 Corinthians 3:5–6 (NIV):“Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God.” 4. Singleness for God’s Kingdom Is a Special Calling Matthew 19:11 (NIV):“Jesus replied, ‘Not everyone can accept this word, but only those to whom it has been given.’” Jesus was responding to the disciples’ reaction to His teaching on divorce. He affirmed that celibacy for God’s kingdom is not a command for all but a spiritual calling granted to some. Paul echoes this in: 1 Corinthians 7:7 (NIV):“I wish that all of you were as I am. But each of you has your own gift from God…” Remaining unmarried for the sake of undivided devotion to the Lord (1 Cor. 7:32–35) is a special gift—not a superior status but a specific calling for some believers. Final Reflection: Respond When God Speaks When you feel God stirring your heart—whether it’s through conviction, understanding, or desire to seek Him—don’t ignore it. That moment may be evidence of God’s grace drawing you. Hebrews 3:15 (NIV):“Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.” Even people who witnessed miracles firsthand did not always respond: Pharaoh saw plagues but hardened his heart (Exodus 9:12). Judas Iscariot lived with Jesus for 3.5 years, yet betrayed Him (John 17:12). It’s not enough to be near spiritual things—you must respond to God’s grace when it is given. Call to Action: Obey the Gospel While You Can If God’s voice is moving within you today, respond immediately: Repent – Turn from sin (Acts 3:19). Be Baptized – In full water immersion, in the name of Jesus Christ (Acts 2:38). Receive the Holy Spirit – A promise for all who believe and obey (Acts 2:39). Salvation is not something we can initiate, but when God opens the door, we must walk through it. Prayer: May the Lord grant you grace to hear, believe, and obey His voice. May He not pass you by. May you be found ready when He calls. Shalom.
Question:In Mark 10:30, Jesus says that whoever leaves things for His sake will receive “a hundredfold now.” Some argue this includes receiving many “wives,” suggesting polygamy is acceptable. Is that what Jesus meant? Answer:Let’s carefully examine the Scripture in question. Mark 10:28–31 (NKJV): 28 Then Peter began to say to Him, “See, we have left all and followed You.”29 So Jesus answered and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel’s,30 who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time—houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions—and in the age to come, eternal life.31 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.” Clarifying the Phrase “a Hundredfold Now” First, note what Jesus actually lists as part of the reward: houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and lands. He does not say, “wives.” While verse 29 acknowledges that some may leave their wives for the sake of the gospel, verse 30 does not say they will receive “wives” in return—let alone “a hundred wives.” The Greek word used for “sisters” is ἀδελφὰς (adelphas), which specifically refers to female siblings or fellow believers. This is consistent with New Testament usage that views fellow Christians as part of a new spiritual family (see Matthew 12:49–50): “And He stretched out His hand toward His disciples and said, ‘Here are My mother and My brothers! For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother.’” (NKJV) Does This Support Polygamy? Absolutely not. Jesus consistently upheld God’s original design for marriage: one man and one woman. In Matthew 19:4–6 (NKJV), He says: “Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning ‘made them male and female,’ and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.” Jesus refers to “the two” becoming one flesh—not three or four or a hundred. This aligns with God’s original intention for marriage in Genesis 2:24. Therefore, Mark 10:30 cannot be used to justify polygamy. Jesus was not talking about receiving multiple spouses but rather about the new, expansive family one gains in the body of Christ. What Then Does “a Hundredfold” Mean? When Jesus says we’ll receive “a hundredfold now in this time,” He’s referring to the richness of Christian fellowship and support. If someone leaves behind family, they will gain spiritual brothers, sisters, mothers, and children within the Church—people who love, help, and walk with them in faith. This doesn’t mean literal biological relationships, just as “brothers in Christ” aren’t our siblings by birth. Rather, it’s about a spiritual family formed through faith, community, and service. Even the mention of “children” should be understood spiritually: many will become spiritual mentors or spiritual parents to others in the faith (cf. 1 Corinthians 4:15, where Paul calls himself a “father” to the Corinthians). What About Leaving a Spouse for the Gospel? If someone truly sacrifices a marriage for the sake of following Christ, God will provide support, comfort, and companionship in other ways—but not through multiple new marriages. Instead, He may raise up co-laborers in ministry, loving spiritual sisters, or fellow believers who provide the help and encouragement similar to what a spouse might offer. This reflects God’s faithful provision, not an invitation to polygamy. As Genesis 2:18 says: “It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him.” While that verse originally applied to Eve, the principle stands: God provides companionship and support in many ways, including through His people. Why Does Jesus Promise These Rewards? It’s to affirm the value of surrender. In Luke 9:24 (NKJV), Jesus says: “For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it.” Those who lay down their worldly security to follow Christ fully will never regret it. God repays in this life—with deeper relationships, purpose, and provision—and in the life to come, with eternal life. Conclusion Mark 10:30 is a powerful promise of spiritual community and divine provision, not a justification for polygamy. Jesus never endorsed multiple marriages. Instead, He affirmed the richness of life in the family of God for those who follow Him faithfully—even at great personal cost. be blessed man of God
Special Teachings for New Believers – Part Two “And the child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the wilderness until the day of his public appearance to Israel.”—Luke 1:80 (ESV) One of God’s consistent patterns throughout Scripture is this: before He launches His servants into their divine assignment, He leads them into the wilderness. The wilderness is not a place of punishment but a sacred classroom where God shapes the soul, strips away distractions, and builds spiritual strength. As a newly born-again believer, if you desire to grow deep and strong in your walk with Christ, you cannot bypass this wilderness season. It is God’s chosen environment for developing spiritual maturity. The Pattern of the Wilderness When God delivered the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, He did not take them directly into the Promised Land. Instead, He led them into the wilderness for forty years—a time of testing, provision, and spiritual formation. “When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son.”—Hosea 11:1 (ESV) They were spiritually immature, dependent, and still entangled in old mindsets. In the wilderness, God fed them daily, taught them obedience, and revealed Himself as their sustainer. By the time they entered Canaan, they had been forged into a people ready for battle and capable of walking in covenant faith. Similarly, John the Baptist, though born into a priestly lineage, withdrew to the wilderness. There, he grew strong in spirit and became a powerful voice preparing the way of the Lord. “Among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist.”—Matthew 11:11 (ESV) Why was John so spiritually significant? Because he embraced the wilderness. He allowed God to prepare him away from the noise of society. What Does It Mean to “Dwell in the Wilderness” Spiritually? This is not about moving into a literal desert. The spiritual wilderness is a season of consecration—a deliberate choice to withdraw from worldly influences, pleasures, and distractions so that God can do a deep work in your heart. The wilderness is spiritually symbolic of a place where you are alone with God. It is where your faith is purified, your character is shaped, and your dependence on Christ is strengthened. To “dwell in the wilderness” means: Breaking ties with ungodly relationships and old sinful habits. Letting go of worldly entertainment and environments that weaken your devotion. Embracing solitude, prayer, and the study of God’s Word. Trusting God as your provider, even if obedience means losing a job or income. Letting Go to Grow You must be willing to lose now in order to gain later. This is the essence of discipleship. “Then Jesus told his disciples, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.’”“For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.”—Matthew 16:24–25 (ESV) You cannot carry your cross and cling to the world at the same time. Growth demands separation. If you were once surrounded by worldly friends who encouraged sin—those you drank with, partied with, or gossiped with—you must now choose a new path. Even if it means loneliness for a season, embrace it. That loneliness is sacred. It is where Christ meets you most intimately. If you’re engaged in a career or business that dishonors God—such as selling alcohol or operating unethically—do not hesitate to walk away. God will not abandon you. Just as He fed Israel with manna in the desert, He will provide for you. “But the woman was given the two wings of the great eagle so that she might fly from the serpent into the wilderness, to the place where she is to be nourished for a time, and times, and half a time.”—Revelation 12:14 (ESV) God has already prepared a place for you—a spiritual wilderness where you will be nourished and protected. Do not fear the loss. His provision is faithful. For Women of God If you’re a young woman, be willing to let go of worldly fashion that draws attention to the flesh rather than glorifying God. Discard immodest clothing and choose a lifestyle of holiness. Even if people mock you or say you’ve lost your mind, be unashamed. The world may call you foolish, but Christ calls you faithful. “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.”—Hebrews 12:1 (ESV) Why the Wilderness Is Essential The wilderness is where Christ becomes your only teacher. There, you are undistracted by the noise of culture, career, or crowds. You give Him undivided access to transform your life. That’s why spiritual growth happens so rapidly in the wilderness. “A voice cries: ‘In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.’”—Isaiah 40:3 (ESV) If you skip this season, you risk remaining spiritually stagnant. Many Christians have walked with Jesus for years but show little transformation because they never surrendered to the wilderness. They stayed in the comfort of the world, and so God could not mold them. Embrace the Voice of Conviction Do not ignore the still, small voice urging you to surrender something, leave someone, or walk away from a sinful pattern. These are wilderness invitations. Each one is a door to deeper intimacy with Christ. “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul?”—Matthew 16:26 (ESV) To bear fruit for God, you must first be pruned. To be pruned, you must first be willing to dwell in the wilderness. So, walk away from the world. Step into the wilderness. There, God will meet you, feed you, and form you.Then, when your day of public ministry or purpose arrives, you will not be found lacking. The Lord bless you.Shalom.