When the Holy Spirit reveals to the heart of man his sinfulness, he has two choices ... to either walk in 'saving faith' or 'damning unbelief'. The plan of salvation has already been addressed numerous times throughout this devotional; so today we will focus on what it means to purposefully reject it.
Unbelief says, "God, you're not worthy of my faith, you're not worthy of my trust, you're not worthy of my love. I don't want you in my life." In these latter days, it meets us at every turn, and in every company. 'Unbelief' is considered clever and intellectual ... an admirable mark of a thoughtful mind.
Take care, brethren, that there not be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God. Hebrews 3:12
From where does this defiance come? ...
1. With some, the 'seat of unbelief' appears to be the head. They refuse to accept anything which they cannot explain scientifically. The truth of God's Word is viewed with cold indifference because it does not satisfy egocentric human reasoning. What they cannot intellectually comprehend, they cannot believe.
2. With some the 'seat of unbelief' is the heart. They love their sin and are determined not to give it up. They attempt to take refuge from a guilty conscience by persuading themselves that the Word of God is untrue. Whatever condemns their lifestyle they explain away and refuse to believe.
3. With a far greater number of people the 'seat of unbelief' is faint-heartedness. They dislike and avoid debate, choosing 'comfortable ignorance' rather than deliberating and seeking out the truth of God. These individuals aren't necessarily slaves to a particular sin and may appear to live decent lives. But ... there is an unwillingness to make up their minds about anything concerning Jesus Christ. They drift downstream like a fallen leaf.
John Calvin - The blindness of unbelievers in no way detracts from the clarity of the gospel; the sun is no less bright because blind men do not perceive its light.
So, what condemns people to an eternity in hell?
It is 'not' lying, murder, rape, or arson. It is 'not' sexual perversion, pride, or arrogance. It is UNBELIEF. Jesus died for all those other sins; paid for them with His blood. It is 'unbelief' alone that shuts the door to heaven.
To the pure, all things are pure; but to those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure, but both their mind and conscience are defiled. Titus 1:15
Unbelief is the 'unforgivable sin' that keeps the Gospel of Jesus Christ from taking root in one's life. It represents the rejection of the Holy Spirit's drawing power and an open rebellion against God.
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