Wed., 3/2/16 Devotion (Lk. 16:31)

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

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

Since faith is sovereignly given to sinners through *hearing* the gospel preached (Rom. 10:17), and not through *seeing* miracles performed—we should not be surprised to hear this principle taught in this text (above) by our Lord Jesus.

Sometimes well-meaning and sincere Christians mistakenly think that sinners will be converted to Christ by their *seeing* various spectacular religious mar-vels (like even someone rising from the dead). But this is not the case at all. Instead, God would have His church faithfully preach the Good News of Jesus Christ. Through this message of grace, the Holy Spirit will convert those God chooses to redeem.

[Puritan quote of the day: "If we once get the victory over ourselves, all other things are conquered to our ease.” —Richard Sibbes, in, "The Soul's Conflict with Itself"]