37But despite all the miraculous signs Jesus had done, most of the people still did not believe in him. 38This is exactly what Isaiah the prophet had predicted: “Lord, who has believed our message? To whom has the Lord revealed his powerful arm?” 39But the people couldn’t believe, for as Isaiah also said, 40“The Lord has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts—so that their eyes cannot see, and their hearts cannot understand, and they cannot turn to me and have me heal them.” (John 12:37-40 NLT)
So from this reading, is it we who shut out God - or does God close the eyes of some people? The scripture reads, "But the people couldn't believe..." not 'wouldn't believe.' Interesting. Why would God blind some people and harden their hearts? The question boils down to this... Why is creation such that not all who come to know the name of Jesus will believe in the Messiah? To answer this let me ask more questions... Do you force the people closest to you to love you? Do you threaten them and attempt to control them, or do you allow them the choice? I can't answer that, but you can; and if you are forcing, or are forced, into "loving" someone, well, you know as well as I that is not real, healthy, agape love. It can't be - because the foundation of healthy relationship and healthy love is choice. Let me ask you one more question... If you love God, WHY do you love God? Is it out of fear? Is it because of what you believe He will do for you? Those are both unhealthy, immature reasons to love. God is the creator of the universe and He loves you simply because you are a part of it. Love God just because He is God and His desire is to draw you to Himself - of your own choice - with no other expectation.
So from this reading, is it we who shut out God - or does God close the eyes of some people? The scripture reads, "But the people couldn't believe..." not 'wouldn't believe.' Interesting. Why would God blind some people and harden their hearts? The question boils down to this... Why is creation such that not all who come to know the name of Jesus will believe in the Messiah? To answer this let me ask more questions... Do you force the people closest to you to love you? Do you threaten them and attempt to control them, or do you allow them the choice? I can't answer that, but you can; and if you are forcing, or are forced, into "loving" someone, well, you know as well as I that is not real, healthy, agape love. It can't be - because the foundation of healthy relationship and healthy love is choice. Let me ask you one more question... If you love God, WHY do you love God? Is it out of fear? Is it because of what you believe He will do for you? Those are both unhealthy, immature reasons to love. God is the creator of the universe and He loves you simply because you are a part of it. Love God just because He is God and His desire is to draw you to Himself - of your own choice - with no other expectation.
RSS Feed