John 6:46 Not that any man hath seen the Father
John 6:46 Not that any man hath seen the Father, save he which is of God, he hath seen the Father.
In this passage Jesus teaches that not just any man has seen the Father. He points out that only those, which are of God, have seen the Father. Some may be mislead to assume that Jesus is speaking of Himself, saying that no human being has seen the Father, but this would be contrary to His teaching in chapter 14.
John 14:7-9 If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him. Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us. Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou [then], Shew us the Father?
Jesus goes on to say many things concerning ones ability to see the Father. If you believe that Jesus is in the Father and that the Father is in Him, then you know the Father. If you love Christ, then you will obey His commandments and He will ask of the Father and the Father will fill you with the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost consists of both the Father and the Son. If the Holy Ghost dwells in you, then also do the Father and the Son. Therefore, not just any man can possess the Holy Ghost, and as a result not just any man is able to see the Father. In John 3:3, Jesus teaches that unless a man is born again, being converted and having received the Holy Ghost, he does not have the ability to see spiritually. From this it is easy to conclude that no unregenerate man is able since they do not even have the capacity to recieve the ability. God is spirit and all things of God are spiritual. Without the Holy Ghost, spiritual discernment is impossible. As Jesus also taught in John 3:5, not only must a person be born by the washing of regeneration, but also must be born anew by the renewing of the Holy Spirit. The more one is renewed, the more one is able to see the Father as well as spiritual things. As this spiritual awakening occurs, the closer a person walks with God and the more intimately he is able to see the Father.
Thank you for taking the time to read this study. I hope you found this study to be a blessing, and that it has in some way increased your knowledge of our Lord and Savior. If you have questions, or would like to leave a comment, please do not hesitate to do so.
You may also email questions to barry@baptistcommentary.com
Grace to you,
Barry Laminack
Topical References: Belief, Children of God, Conversion, Dead In Christ, Holy Spirit/Ghost, Inheritance (Earnest/Reward), John, Mans inacapacity and inability, New Testament, Pauline Theology, Promises of God, Regeneration, Scripture Comment, Spiritual Life & Death | No Comments »
Comments or Questions?
You must be logged in to post a comment.