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'Christ in You...'

    by Dale Krebbs

The Unblieving
Date Posted: January 1, 2017

There are many good people in the world. And many who are not so good. But for a variety of reasons, they cannot believe in Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

Of these, as illustrated in Jesus' parable, there are many who are called by God to believe, but various conditions of mind and circumstance prevent them from being chosen for eternal life.. they cannot believe. Even if they want to initially.

There are veils created by circumstances, time and chance, and a myriad of obstacles that choke out the call.

" But such great crowds gathered about Him that He got into a boat and remained sitting there, while all the throng stood on the shore. And He told them many things in parables (stories by way of illustration and comparison), saying, A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seeds fell by the roadside, and the birds came and ate them up.

Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they had not much soil; and at once they sprang up, because they had no depth of soil. But when the sun rose, they were scorched, and because they had no root, they dried up and withered away. Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them out. Other seeds fell on good soil, and yielded grain—some a hundred times as much as was sown, some sixty times as much, and some thirty. He who has ears [to hear], let him be listening and let him consider and perceive and comprehend by hearing." - Matthew 13:2-9

These words of Jesus in a parable have been functioning down through the eons of time since they were spoken. The analogies apply to everyone who has ever heard the gospel preached or explained. This includes people you work with or for; family members; all who hear the gospel preached or taught. Regardless of age, circumstances, accident of birth, regardless of where or when the gospel is heard.

This parable explains the "why" of everyone who as ever prayed for a loved one, or the efforts of every missionary in the darkest places on earth. If they cannot - or will not - believe the gospel, it is because of one of these conditions alluded to in the parable. We need to in keep mind that Jesus is illustrating the initial response that each type of hearer manifests.

I know a person who is one of the finest persons in just about any way that can be imagined. A good person morally, gentle, with good works, helpful and giving, not easily offended, but forgiving. A better human being I have never met. Along with others, I have prayed for this person's conversion, and belief in Jesus for years. However - there is utterly no inclination at all to believe in Jesus Christ. But others and myself will not give up. We will pray as long as we and this person lives. We endure. But one or more of Jesus' parable circumstances continue to apply. Perhaps sometime, someway, somewhere conditions will change. Perhaps this one will somehow come to believe - before it is too late.

Perhaps you know or have known of someone similar to this.

One thing we should keep in mind regarding this parable; Jesus did not say that the conditions referred to were impossible to change. The parable generally refers to the initial response to the hearing the gospel. As the saying goes, "things change". They can change for the good, and conditions can be altered by the will of God - and prayer.

Even when the message is initially rejected for any of the various reasons that Jesus illustrated, He does not say that because of any of these responses, they will never change there minds sometime in the future. As each group experiences the vagaries of life, perhaps some will eventually have a change of attitude and heart.

That this is possible to occur in their lifetime when their hearts are mellowed and according to God's timetable, they go on to become converted and believe unto eternal life. Speaking of the Gentiles, but it applies to all mankind, Paul says:

"... as many as were destined (appointed and ordained) to eternal life believed (adhered to, trusted in, and relied on Jesus as the Christ and their Savior)." - Acts 13:48

For many of those illustrated in the parable, it is a matter of timing for their belief and surrender to Jesus and receive eternal life. God knows beforehand who will respond to the call. Not only among those of the parable, but those among all mankind:

" And He Who searches the hearts of men knows what is in the mind of the [Holy] Spirit [what His intent is], because the Spirit intercedes and pleads [before God] in behalf of the saints according to and in harmony with God’s will. We are assured and know that [[a]God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose. For those whom He foreknew [of whom He was [b]aware and [c]loved beforehand], He also destined from the beginning [foreordaining them] to be molded into the image of His Son [and share inwardly His likeness], that He might become the firstborn among many brethren." - Romans 8:27-29

Therefore, the parable of the sowing of the seed illustrates the great variety of people who respond in many different ways and at different times in their lives.Their final position is realized at a later time in their lives. The first response to the gospel does not necessarily dictate a final rejection of the gospel.

Only God knows the outcome of His choices of who are to be called to believe and receive eternal life.

God has many ways His miracles to perform. His ways are past finding out. Praise Him for His infinite knowledge and wisdom!

Keep praying for those who, for now, will not believe. They can change.

"Inspiration For You" from Randy Mitchell

Seeing Another's Light

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Biography Information:
Dale Krebbs served as an Elder, preaching, counseling, and conducting Bible studies for over 25 years in Texas, California, and Arizona. He is now retired, lives in Arizona, and continues the study and research of Gods Word.
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