| | | | Blinded - Romans 11:7-8 So this is the situation: Most of the people of Israel have not found the favor of God they are looking for so earnestly. A few have—the ones God has chosen—but the hearts of the rest were hardened. As the Scriptures say, "God has put them into a deep sleep. To this day he has shut their eyes so they do not see, and closed their ears so they do not hear." Romans 11:7-8 (NLT)
The question often comes up "How could God blind some people, isn't that being mean?" Actually, no, because the reality is that God only blinds those who want to be blind. See God isn't going to force Himself on anyone. The glory and goodness of God are so irresistible that if God didn't blind the person that didn't want to know Him, they would have no choice but to accept Him. What would be wrong with that? It wouldn't be genuine.
Think about it this way, say you won the lottery tomorrow, and now you're a multi-millionaire. You're going to have hundreds of people suddenly wanting to be your friend, not because they like you, but because you're rich. How do you know who is really your friend? It's easy, the people that liked you before you had money.
So as for this thing called predestination:
Is it true that anyone can come to God? Yes.
Is it true that God knows who will come to Him? Yes.
Is it true that some people won't come to God? Yes.
Does God blind those who won't accept Him? Yes.
Do I understand all of this fully? No, and neither did Paul:
Oh, how great are God's riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his ways! Romans 11:33
So, should I only witness to people that God has chosen? Yes BUT… I have no way of knowing who those people are, so I'm just going to tell everyone I can, and let God do the work.
"Lord, even though I don't understand everything, help me to trust your goodness and your grace, and help me to share that goodness and grace with anyone that is willing to hear."
Pastor Clay
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