Unwilling to Accept the Truth

Scripture: Jesus answered, "I have told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father’s name testify to me, but you do not believe because you do not belong to my sheep." John 10:25-26

Observation: The people directly ask Jesus if he is Messiah, specifically asking him to just tell them. His answer is equally blunt ... he has told them, but they refuse to believe it. He goes on and tells them again, and for this they attempt to stone him for blasphemy, then seek to arrest him.

There is no response Jesus can give these people that they will believe except for the denial of being Messiah. They refuse to believe what he has said, they refuse to believe what he has done, and they violently react to what he now says. This is because they have no desire for the truth, and Jesus knows this when he says that they won't believe because they do not belong to his sheep. What Jesus is really saying is ... these people are full of pride and self-determination, looking to be fully in command and control of their own lives and their own wills, and therefore they reject any belief that would make them obedient to a Lord and savior.

Application: There are times I disobey the Lord, and I know the source of my disobedience is ... myself. It is my own desire to run some aspect of my life, even if it is just related to short-term pleasure like having another drink. I know there are times the Lord tells me I shouldn't, and I do, because I simply want to.

That is the wrong way to live in that moment. Overall I want to be obedient in my life, and I do strive to walk the Lord's path. I fail from time to time.

Jesus shows us this is at the very heart of "belief" ... willingness to obey the voice of the good shepherd. Many people fully reject Jesus, and thus are unwilling to accept the truth about faith and salvation. I am very willing to obey the good shepherd, but again sometimes I consciously fail and choose a different action. That is never a good idea.

Prayer: Lord, please forgive me of my sins, my departures from your precepts, and my actions that reject your direction. I desire to obey and live the life you have for me. I wish others would choose the same. May I be of obedient service to you this day, and every day. Amen.