Why Do Many Not Believe? (Pasche)

"The imagination, of man’s heart is evil from his youth." Gen.8:21.

Why do learned men among the infidels not believe? Cer­tainly not because of their high intellectual standing, but because they do not want to hear the truth. They are ready to believe almost any theory that opposes religion, but they reject the Gospel. Why ? The fault lies in their own sinful heart, which cannot bear the truth; since sin entered into the world, man is inclined to think highly of himself and to forget his Maker.

Why is it that so many do not believe in the Lord Jesus? Is it not because they are self-righteous and expect to get to heaven by their own good works, their own righteousness? Is it not because they despise the Lord’s grace? Why do they not believe in the Lord Jesus? Is it because of their sincerity and conscientiousness, or because their reason does not permit them to believe in Him? No; Christ’s sinlessness, His divine works, His precious Gospel is before them; they cannot gainsay it; it is attested by better evidence than a thousand historical facts which they believe. The truth is, they do not want to believe; they are puffed up with pride, arrogance, and conceitedness.

And why do so many not believe in the Bible? Why do they not accept this only divine guide of men ? Is it because they know better? Is it because their wisdom excels that of the Word of God? N o ; the human mind furnishes answers totally inadequate to secure man’ s salvation. The wisest men o f this world have occupied themselves with finding answers to the problems connected with the soul’s welfare. Have they succeeded in finding true solutions? Far from it! When it comes to divine things, then we must say to our reason: Stop and hear what God has to say in His Word and accept the Word of God with a believing heart.

Prayer.

O merciful God, heavenly Father, who alone beginnest and per- formest in us every good thing, we pray Thee, strengthen us that we may be steadfast in the true faith and remain constant to the end. Keep us from false doctrine, fleshly lust, and the deceit of the world. Grant that we may continue to grow in the knowledge of Christ, Thy Son. Do not suffer us to be led from the truth of Thy divine Word and thus to deny Jesus and yield to unbelief. Amen.

NOTE: The below statement was offered by a friend and fellow clergyman. It expresses the biblical doctrine of the English Reformation. I appreciate his thoughtful clarification -

"Sir,

I believe the answer is in the article on predestination and this from John 12. I believe that all of the Elect are drawn to believe, and those who are not of the Elect can not believe and are left to their won designs.

"But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him: That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed? Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again, He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand "