Mon., 12/2/13 Devotion (Lk. 16:31)

Today's encouragement comes from Luke 16:31, where we read these words:

"But he said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, nei-ther will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.' "

No one was ever converted to the True Religion on the basis of be-holding miracles--even the great one of Jesus' bodily resurrection. In-stead, all those who are ever justified are so on the basis of the great miracle of regeneration (or new birth). No one believes the Bible, either, until or unless the Holy Spirit gives them Christ's righteousness (and the subsequent new nature in Him).

Therefore, let us not be surprised at the recalcitrant blindness and re-bellion of unbelievers, who simply *will* not believe. The truth is they *cannot* believe, until God sovereignly calls them. Let us ask the Lord to do this for all our lost friends.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Now Christ and the church are all one. They make but one mystical body. The church is the queen, and Christ is the King." --Richard Sibbes, in, "Glorious Freedom"]