Spirit And Life

The Spirit alone gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life.

John 6:63

Have you ever heard the saying “God helps those who help themselves” and been told it’s in the Bible? I have. But those words are not there. Instead, verses such as today’s reading from John underscore the reality that our human efforts accomplish nothing—not obtaining eternal life or even understanding the Word of God. The truth is, apart from Christ and his Spirit we can do nothing (see also John 15:5). Surprisingly, this truth isn’t cause for consternation but for rejoicing.

In the context of the story, the people and disciples were arguing about Christ’s teachings that he would rise from the dead, that his flesh was the Bread of Life, and that anyone who eats this bread and drinks his blood would live forever. The crowds soundly rejected his teaching, but the disciples were frustrated that they couldn’t understand it—even as Jesus was referring to the Holy Spirit who would be poured out in those who believe.

This passage reminds me once again that it is God the Father who has initiated the whole redemption process and sent Jesus to draw us to himself. As Jesus said in verse 44, “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them to me.” Even after we’ve accepted the truth, our natural tendency is to move independently of God and lean on self-effort to deliver us or accomplish our work. In those times, the words in John 6 call us to greater dependence on Christ. How marvelous to stop and ponder the fact that it was the Father’s initiative to provide a place of rest for us to dwell as well as the means for our eternal life. All praise and honor and glory be to the Father; to his Son, Jesus Christ; and to the Holy Spirit.

Father, forgive my self-efforts. Thank you for always encouraging me to come to you and receive your words, which are spirit and life. Draw me, oh, draw me to yourself, to live in deeper communion and dependence on you and your Spirit.

If you live in God and die to your own will,

How simple it will be his precepts to fulfill.

Angelus Silesius(1624–1677), German mystic and poet