Doeg

God Bless you and good morning.

 

What is the difference between a believer and a nonbeliever?  What is the testimony of a believer and a nonbeliever?  Some think that by establishing elaborate proofs of the Bibles integrity that they will be able to convince the unbelieving mind.  Others think that by making an ironclad argument that they can turn the heart away from unbelief.  Jesus touched down on this topic in the story of the rich man and Lazarus,

 

Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldst send him to my father's house: 

For I have five brethren; that he may testify to them, lest they also come into this place of torment. 

Abraham saith to him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. 

And he said, No, father Abraham: but if one shall go to them from the dead, they will repent. 

And he said to him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one shall rise from the dead. Luk 16:27-31 

 

It is truly by Grace we are saved, through faith, and that not of ourselves.

 

~Al

 

Then many of the Jews who came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him. 

But some of them went to the Pharisees, and told them what things Jesus had done. John 11:45-46 

 

I. Others were irritated by it [the works of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead], and hardened in their unbelief.

1. The informers were so (John 11:46): Some of them, who were eye-witnesses of the miracle, were so far from being convinced that they went to the Pharisees, whom they knew to be his implacable enemies, and told them what things Jesus had done; not merely as a matter of news worthy their notice, much less as an inducement to them to think more favorably of Christ, but with a spiteful design to excite those who needed no spur the more vigorously to prosecute him. Here is a strange instance, (1.) Of a most obstinate infidelity, refusing to yield to the most powerful means of conviction; and it is hard to imagine how they could evade the force of this evidence, but that the god of this world had blinded their minds. (2.) Of a most inveterate enmity^[1]. If they would not be satisfied that he was to be believed in as the Christ, yet one would think they should have been mollified, and persuaded not to persecute him; but, if the water be not sufficient to quench the fire, it will inflame it. They told what Jesus had done, and told no more than what was true; but their malice gave a tincture of diabolism to their information equal to that of lying; perverting what is true is as bad as forging what is false. Doeg is called a false, lying, and deceitful tongue (Psa 52:2-4^[2]; Psa 120:2, 3^[3]), though what he said was true.  (Matthew Henry)

 

 

Some of them ... - We see here the different effect which the word and works of God will have on different individuals. Some are converted and others are hardened; yet the evidence of this miracle was as clear to the one as the other. But they would not be convinced. (Barnes)

 

 

 Different effects of the same revelation on different, men

 

1. Many believed. In their ease

(1) The moral end of the miracle was then answered. They saw the "glory of God."

(2) The end of Christ's mission was answered. He became their Savior.

2. Some did not believe. "If they hear not Moses and the prophets." The different effect of the same revelation on different minds is

 

I. A COMMON OCCURRENCE (Act 17:32-34). The gospel is to some the "savor of life unto life," etc. In every congregation there are believers and unbelievers. Like the sun, which wakes the vital germ in a grain of corn, and calls into being a beautiful and manifold life yet draws poisonous vapors out of the morass, so the gospel brings life to some objects and death to others.

 

II. A SIGNIFICANT OCCURRENCE, indicating

1. Diversity in men's minds. If all men were alike, the same cause acting upon them would produce the same results. But they are not alike.

(1) Naturally. No two have the same kind and measure of faculty.

(2) Morally. No two have the same quality and force of disposition.

(3) Educationally. No two have had exactly the same training.

At St. Paul's conversion some saw the light, but heard not the voice. Here is an extraordinary circumstance which is common in life. Everywhere there ere men hearing the same voice but receiving different impressions; seeing the same lights, but observing different objects. A voice fraught with deep meaning to some is mere empty sound to others: a light revealing the grandest realities to some discloses nothing to others.

2. The moral force of depravity. Men, through prejudices, sinful habits and carnal tendencies, become strong enough to resist the mightiest evidences and appeals. "Ye do always resist the Spirit of God."

3. The uncoerciveness of the gospel. The gospel is the power of God, but not a resistless force. It reasons and persuades, but does not outrage the freedom of the soul

4. The need of perseverance in the Christian preacher. Do not be discouraged because some do not believe; other's will. "Sow beside all waters." (D. Thomas, D. D.)

 

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[1] deep-rooted hatred or animosity

 

[2] Thy tongue deviseth mischiefs; like a sharp razor, working deceitfully. 

Thou lovest evil more than good; and lying rather than to speak righteousness. Selah. 

Thou lovest all devouring words, O thou deceitful tongue. Psa 52:2-4 

 

[3] Deliver my soul, O LORD, from lying lips, and from a deceitful tongue. 

What shall be given to thee? or what shall be done to thee, thou false tongue? Psa 120:2-3