Some believers have this tendency to try and convince people of the reasons why they should believe in the Lord Jesus. My brother, my sister, never forget that what we experience nowadays has already happened in the past. Today’s passage tells us that in Jesus’ time, just like in the time of Isaiah, many people would not believe despite all the evidence. Yes, “Even after Jesus had performed so many signs in their presence, they still would not believe in him” (verse 37). As a result, God hardened their hearts. Let’s go back to the Old Testament to understand how God works: after the twelve spies returned with their report of the exploration of the Promised Land, and ten of the spies convince many of the fact that they should rather be afraid that trust God, this is what God said: ” have forgiven them, as you asked. Nevertheless, as surely as I live and as surely as the glory of the Lord fills the whole earth, not one of those who saw my glory and the signs I performed in Egypt and in the wilderness but who disobeyed me and tested me ten times— not one of them will ever see the land I promised on oath to their ancestors. No one who has treated me with contempt will ever see it” (Numbers 14:20-23). My friend, yes, God is ready to give us abundantly, but our hearts prevent us from receiving from Him. It is very easy for us to spot out those whose hearts are hardened by unbelief, but we don’t usually see our own hardened hearts that deny His might or unfailing love when we fail to trust or obey Him. Now, let’s clarify this: God does not intentionally harden our hearts to prevent us from believing or trusting Him. He ONLY confirms our own choices. Remember what he said to the spies with bad reports: “As surely as I live, declares the Lord, I will do to you the very thing I heard you say” (Numbers 14:28). My friend, be careful what you say or think regarding the Lord Jesus and your walk with Him: have you become so set in your own ways that you don’t try to understand His message? Have you become so confident about yourself that you expect God to fit to your will and plans instead of you following His commands? You know, for an unbeliever who refuses to acknowledge the Lord or for a believer who walks without following Jesus’ commands, the result is the same before God! IT IS SIMPLY SAID BY JESUS HIMSELF: “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me” (John 14:23-24). Stay blessed in Jesus’ name. [facebook] [retweet]