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Reachout Trust 24 Ormond Road Richmond Surrey TW10 6TH England Phone & Fax: 0845 241 2158 E-mail A company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales, number 4162936. A registered charity number 1087085

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"No one can come to me unless the Father draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the Prophets: 'They will all be taught by God'. Everyone who listens to the Father and learns from him comes to me." (John 6:45)

Christianity is supernatural. Of course, there is plenty of empirical evidence to back up the claims Christianity makes, and it is true that, from Moses to the Baptist, from Adam to Christ, from Abraham to Paul, the faith is firmly rooted in historical fact. However, facts inform us but do not save us.

In Exodus we read of Israel's diffidence when "Moses led the people out of the camp to meet with God…" (Ex.19:17).

When the people saw the thunder and lightening and heard the trumpet and saw the mountain in smoke, they trembled with fear. They stayed at a distance and said to Moses, 'Speak to us yourself and we will listen. But do not have God speak to us or we will die.' Moses said to the people, 'Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning.' The people remained at a distance, while Moses approached the thick darkness where God was. Then the Lord said to Moses, 'Tell the Israelites this: "You have seen for yourselves that I have spoken to you from heaven.' (Exodus 20:18-22)

Just as God took a people out of Egypt and drew them to the foot of the mountain so that they might see for themselves that God had spoken, so today God draws people to him and "they will all be taught by God".

Given the experience of Israel, how is this possible? Three things have happened to change make it possible.

1. A new way has been made for us:

"Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body…let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith…" (Hebrews 10:19-21)

2. A new life has been given us:

"This is the covenant I will make with them after that time, says the Lord, I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds…Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more." (Hebrews 10:17-17)

3. A new Spirit has been put in us:

"But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth." (John 16:13)

Because of these things the diffidence of the Israelites has become the confidence of the born again believer. Just as God was able to say to Israel, "You have seen for yourselves that I have spoken to you from heaven", so true believers are able to say, with the Samaritan villagers, "We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Saviour of the world" (John 4:42).

If this is not your experience, if diffidence holds you back, then you need to:

Look - "For it is my Father's will that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life and I will raise him up on the last day." (John 6:40)

Listen - "Everyone who listens to the Father…

Learn - and learns from him comes to me." (John 6:45)

If this is your experience, if confidence marks your walk, may you grow in confidence and hear more clearly through this week what is the Father's will and may he equip you to follow.

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