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Have you wondered why other people around you, even when exposed to the gospel over and over do not respond?

Perhaps close friends and loved ones whom you have known many years and are very familiar with your life as a Christian. Yet...for some reason, they seem oblivious, although not openly hostile, to what you believe? You have tried to live in such a way as to positively influence them to believe, and no matter what you say or do they seem totally uninterested in listening, much less taking any steps toward believing in Jesus Christ for eternal life.

You have lived a Christian life as much as Christ has led you to live, without even an inquiry from those outside of the believing. Can there be a reason other than what you feel perhaps you have failed in your positive witness before them? Our witness is always important. There was a time when most of us who now believe were also blinded until God revealed through the Holy Spirit that we had been chosen to believe in His son:

"For the god of this world has blinded the unbelievers’ minds [that they should not discern the truth], preventing them from seeing the illuminating light of the Gospel of the glory of Christ (the Messiah), Who is the Image and Likeness of God." - 2 Corinthians 4:3-4 (AMP)

"You were following the course and fashion of this world [were under the sway of the tendency of this present age], following the prince of the power of the air. [You were obedient to and under the control of] the [demon] spirit that still constantly works in the sons of disobedience [the careless, the rebellious, and the unbelieving, who go against the purposes of God]." - Ephesians 2:1

It is true that some are blinded to the gospel. For reasons that only God fully knows, some simply are not going to believe - at least at this time. Some have prayed for a loved one or a friend for many years without any evidence that they were even interested in their own salvation. One must wonder the age-old question: Why?

We must remember that the callings of God are according to His plan, and His time table. Also we must remember that the lack of someone else's calling may be as important in our live as much as theirs. Our faith is being tried by our faithfulness of endurance until the time is perfect for us, and for the ones not called as yet.

"But even if our Gospel (the glad tidings) also be hidden (obscured and covered up with a veil that hinders the knowledge of God), it is hidden [only] to those who are perishing and obscured [only] to those who are spiritually dying and veiled [only] to those who are lost. For the god of this world has blinded the unbelievers’ minds [that they should not discern the truth], preventing them from seeing the illuminating light of the Gospel of the glory of Christ (the Messiah), Who is the Image and Likeness of God." - 2 Corinthians 4:3-4 (AMP)

The Apostle Paul agonized over the apparent lack of calling of those in his ancestry, friends, and loved ones. But he knew that God has a timetable that is perfect in timing.

" For God’s gifts and His call are irrevocable. [He never withdraws them when once they are given, and He does not change His mind about those to whom He gives His grace or to whom He sends His call.] You were once disobedient and rebellious toward God but now have obtained [His] mercy, through their disobedience, so hey also now are being disobedient [when you are receiving mercy], that they in turn may one day, through the mercy you are enjoying, also receive mercy [that they may share the mercy which has been shown to you—through you as messengers of the Gospel to them]. For God has consigned penned up}all men to disobedience, only that He may have mercy on them all." - Romans 11:29-32

But, God is God. However, He will respond to all who honestly seek Him in complete surrender. Therefore, let us pray for those for whom we are praying, that their hearts will be conquered by God's will, and they will eventually turn to Him.

Until then, we must never stop praying and believing.

"But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] shall change and renew their strength and power; they shall lift their wings and mount up [close to God] as eagles [mount up to the sun]; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint or become tired." - Isaiah 40:31

"'Christ in You...'" from Dale Krebbs

The Saints Who Slept