Why Can't They See It?

It rarely ever fails. After a well-planned sermon has been delivered on some theme that should cause people to change their lives, someone will ask, "Why can't they see it?" In effect, they are asking why people do not understand the truth of the sermon and respond to it.

Have you ever wondered why some people hear countless sermons but never seem to understand the truth? Is the Bible so difficult that men cannot understand it? No, that certainly is not the problem. Paul wrote, "Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ" [Ephesians 3:4]. Jesus affirmed that men could "know the truth" [John 8:32], and God's Word is the truth [John 17:17]. These verses and others indicate that God's Word can be understood.

Why, then, can't people see the truth? The Lord gives the answer: "For this people's hear is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them" [Matthew 13:15].Some can't see the truth today for the same reason some in Jesus' day could not see it - they didn't want to. Some today simply harden their hearts, close their eyes and refuse to believe and obey God's Word.

But why would anyone reject it? One may close his eyes to the truth because of family tradition. When there is disagreement between God's Word and the traditions of one's family, some will "lay aside the commandment of God" and "hold the tradition of men" [Mark 7:8]. How sad and tragic! Others may close their eyes to truth because they love pleasure more than God [2 Timothy 3:4]. Sinful pleasures - illicit sex, drugs, gambling - may be so alluring that one is unwilling to give up sin; consequently, he rejects truth.

Friend, there is nothing in this world more important than believing and obeying God's Word. Let's determine, therefore, that we will not close our eyes.

Page updated May 04, 2013 13:58 -0400
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