Wed., 12/2/15 Devotion (Lk. 16:31)

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

"But [Jesus] said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.' "

No one was ever converted to Christ on the basis of beholding miracles—even the great one of Jesus' bodily resurrection. Instead, all those who truly belong to God are in this blessed state because of the great miracle of re-generation (or the new birth). No one believes the Bible, either, until or unless the Holy Spirit gives him or her Christ's righteousness (and the subsequent new nature in Him).

Therefore, let us not be surprised at the recalcitrant blindness and rebellion of sinners, 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"]