Mon., 3/2/20 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 be taught this principle here (above, from Luke’s gospel), by our Lord Jesus.

Sometimes well-meaning and sincere Christians mistakenly think that sinners will be converted by *seeing* various spectacular religious marvels (even like 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. Through this message of grace, the Holy Spirit will convert those whom God chooses to redeem.

[AUGUSTINE quote of the day: “Plato did not hesitate to say that to philoso-phize is to love that God whose nature is incorporeal.” —from, “City of God,” Bk. 8.]