Some Will Not Believe

Good Morning,

John 10:22-30 (NRSV)
At that time the festival of the Dedication took place in Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the portico of Solomon. So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, "How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly." Jesus answered, "I have told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father's name testify to me; but you do not believe, because you do not belong to my sheep. My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand. What my Father has given me is greater than all else, and no one can snatch it out of the Father's hand. The Father and I are one."

I have often wondered why some people simply refuse to hear or, if they take the time to listen, will not believe or understand God's plan of salvation and the reality of Jesus Christ being the Savior that He is. I've shaken my head and just been in total unbelief that when presented with unrefutable evidence of God and of Jesus Christ people walk away...seemingly oblivious to what has been said and presented to them. I know that there are many who read these words who have felt much the same way and have wondered why we continue to try to spread the Gospel.

It's at those times of wonder and confusion about this that we have to remember this short section of Scripture. You see, even when presented with actual, physical evidence of the Deity of Jesus Christ among them, there were people who simply refused to believe and would not even try to understand. Jesus said, "I have told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father's name testify to me; but you do not believe, because you do not belong to my sheep. My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me." These words of Jesus give us the answer to the "why" of people who refuse to believe no matter how much evidence is given and even proved beyond a doubt. These unbelievers are simply not His sheep. I think it's as simple as that.

There are people who, no matter what is said or proven, will not accept that which we present to them and the salvation that is offered freely by the grace of God.

So, when we get frustrated and even depressed when people refuse to listen to us or refuse to even try to understand what we're saying, let's remember what Jesus said when He walked this earth. There are those who are not His sheep and, no matter what, will refuse to believe. It's not your fault or my fault or anyone else's fault when we "fail" to convince someone to accept the Lord as Savior. Always remember, it's up to God. What our job consists of is the presenting of the information. It's the Holy Spirit's job to do the convincing.

Very simply put: Some will, some won't.

Love, peace, and blessings,

David