Missouri, the Show Me State – Part 2
If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead [Luke 16:31].
Yesterday we paused in Hades, where the rich man wanted Lazarus to return to earth and warn his five brothers to repent. Abraham denied the rich man’s request, noting that the five brothers could read the Word of God and learn of their need to repent. Let’s continue from there now.
Hades was so unbearable that the rich man was truly worried sick about his five brothers’. So he pleaded with Abraham, “They won’t listen to the Word of God, Father Abraham. But if someone were to return from the dead, then they’d listen!”
Isn’t that what all of us believe deep down? If the secrets of our hearts were laid bear for all to see, the truth would express itself something like this: “Show me a mighty miracle, and then I’ll believe whatever it is you’re selling, God! But some of the things in the Bible, well, it’s expecting a little much to hold me to them, don’t you think?”
This is where the conclusion to Jesus’ story comes into play, dear friends. We quoted it at the start of this study. What did Abraham answer the rich man? Just this: if your five brothers won’t listen to the written Word of God, they won’t be convinced by someone rising from the dead either.
Do you hear Father Abraham, dear friends? Do his words ring in your ears and descend into the depths of your heart? The written Word of God takes priority over miracles any day of the week, even such an astounding miracle as the resurrection of Jesus Christ!
The purpose of miracles was never to convince people to repent and be saved. Miracles never did achieve such a result. Miracles served to confirm that a prophet was truly sent from God. Miracles also confirmed that what was written by prophets and apostles was the inspired written Word of God.
But miracles never have, don’t now, and never will serve to convert anyone to salvation. The Word of God is required to do that, along with the Holy Spirit to impress the Word of God on the person, so that he is convicted of his sins and brought repentance.
The story of Lazarus and the rich man foretold the resurrection of Jesus Christ and what would follow. Those who believed before the resurrection continued to believe after the resurrection. Unbelievers before the resurrection continued in their unbelief after the resurrection.
The purpose of the resurrection was not to convince anyone of the truth. The resurrection was the necessary outcome of the crucifixion. By means of the resurrection Jesus was declared to be the Son of God with power (cf., Romans 1:4). He died, yes, but death could not keep its hold on the Author of life.
By means of the crucifixion Jesus paid the penalty for the sins of all mankind. By means of the resurrection Jesus’ death was proven to be accepted by the Father as payment for the sins of all mankind.
But no one present at the crucifixion could see with the visible eye that the penalty for his sins was paid. Nor could they view the empty tomb and see with the naked eye that the Father accepted this payment. Only the eye of faith can see these and all spiritual truths. Faith comes from hearing the Word of God, not from observing miracles.
There is this saying, “I’m from Missouri. You got to show me.” No offense intended for any of our Missouri friends, but let’s not take such an approach!
Let’s put our faith in the trustworthy Word of God, rather than in visible things like sign gifts and miracles, dear friends. By grace are we saved through faith.
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Leviticus: Volume 3 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. To purchase my books please go to:
http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005PJ761C
https://sites.google.com/site/heavenl...
Yesterday we paused in Hades, where the rich man wanted Lazarus to return to earth and warn his five brothers to repent. Abraham denied the rich man’s request, noting that the five brothers could read the Word of God and learn of their need to repent. Let’s continue from there now.
Hades was so unbearable that the rich man was truly worried sick about his five brothers’. So he pleaded with Abraham, “They won’t listen to the Word of God, Father Abraham. But if someone were to return from the dead, then they’d listen!”
Isn’t that what all of us believe deep down? If the secrets of our hearts were laid bear for all to see, the truth would express itself something like this: “Show me a mighty miracle, and then I’ll believe whatever it is you’re selling, God! But some of the things in the Bible, well, it’s expecting a little much to hold me to them, don’t you think?”
This is where the conclusion to Jesus’ story comes into play, dear friends. We quoted it at the start of this study. What did Abraham answer the rich man? Just this: if your five brothers won’t listen to the written Word of God, they won’t be convinced by someone rising from the dead either.
Do you hear Father Abraham, dear friends? Do his words ring in your ears and descend into the depths of your heart? The written Word of God takes priority over miracles any day of the week, even such an astounding miracle as the resurrection of Jesus Christ!
The purpose of miracles was never to convince people to repent and be saved. Miracles never did achieve such a result. Miracles served to confirm that a prophet was truly sent from God. Miracles also confirmed that what was written by prophets and apostles was the inspired written Word of God.
But miracles never have, don’t now, and never will serve to convert anyone to salvation. The Word of God is required to do that, along with the Holy Spirit to impress the Word of God on the person, so that he is convicted of his sins and brought repentance.
The story of Lazarus and the rich man foretold the resurrection of Jesus Christ and what would follow. Those who believed before the resurrection continued to believe after the resurrection. Unbelievers before the resurrection continued in their unbelief after the resurrection.
The purpose of the resurrection was not to convince anyone of the truth. The resurrection was the necessary outcome of the crucifixion. By means of the resurrection Jesus was declared to be the Son of God with power (cf., Romans 1:4). He died, yes, but death could not keep its hold on the Author of life.
By means of the crucifixion Jesus paid the penalty for the sins of all mankind. By means of the resurrection Jesus’ death was proven to be accepted by the Father as payment for the sins of all mankind.
But no one present at the crucifixion could see with the visible eye that the penalty for his sins was paid. Nor could they view the empty tomb and see with the naked eye that the Father accepted this payment. Only the eye of faith can see these and all spiritual truths. Faith comes from hearing the Word of God, not from observing miracles.
There is this saying, “I’m from Missouri. You got to show me.” No offense intended for any of our Missouri friends, but let’s not take such an approach!
Let’s put our faith in the trustworthy Word of God, rather than in visible things like sign gifts and miracles, dear friends. By grace are we saved through faith.
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Leviticus: Volume 3 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. To purchase my books please go to:
http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005PJ761C
https://sites.google.com/site/heavenl...
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