By: Waylon Bailey ~

Why can’t people believe?

You’ve probably questioned this.

Why is it that people can’t or won’t believe? Is there something that prevents them? Is there something you and I can do to help people know God and follow him completely?

I see three reasons why people can’t believe.

First, some people can’t believe because they haven’t heard the story or understood the message. Yesterday I preached from John 9, the events surrounding Jesus and his disciples’s and their interaction with a man blind from his birth.

The man’s physical blindness became a picture of the spiritual blindness of the people of Israel.

This man had  never heard the message.

Many people in Jesus day had never heard the good news. It’s the same today. People who live where the preaching of the word of God is prohibited have a hard time believing.

Many younger generations in our own country have never really heard the message, at least not the real story of Jesus who became sin for us so that we might become His righteousness.

When this man heard who Jesus was and saw his great power, he confessed, “Lord, I believe.”

Second, many people can’t believe because their wrong beliefs get in the way.

For example, many of the people of Jesus’ day had set views of God that wouldn’t allow them to understand that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. That happens in our day as well. Our old wrong beliefs get in the way and keep us from truly knowing God.

What beliefs are getting in your way? What truth do you need to share with a friend or family member?

Third, many people can’t believe because the cost of change is too great. The Pharisees of Jesus’ day would not let themselves see the truth. Their eyes were blind; their hearts were hard; and they rejected the truth of God.

I see many times where someone’s behavior becomes more important than the truth.

Is there some “pet sin” you need to reject and renounce?

How can you begin your life with God?

Begin like the man of John 9 who confessed his faith by exclaiming “Lord, I believe.”  ” Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you” (James 4:8).

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Have a great week!