49 Miracles Will Not Convict Men
Miracles Will Not Convict Men
Sin blinds a man’s eyes to his own best interests, and hardens his heart, not only against God and his fellows — but against himself. Therefore he despises warnings, neglects admonitions, and refuses to come to Jesus for life. Nothing but the power of the Spirit of God, can save a soul.
Hence, when the rich man in Hell desired that Lazarus might be sent to his brethren, to prevent their ruin and induce them to repent; Abraham informed him that it was of no use, that a greater power was necessary, saying, "They have Moses and the prophets, let them hear them. If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead." Luke 16:29-31.
Moses and the ProphetsSpeakto Us. They describe our state as sinners against God, as exposed to his just and terrible wrath. They warn us of our danger, assuring us that the soul that sins — it shall die. They exhort us to repent, saying, "Repent and turn from your evil ways, so iniquity shall not be your ruin." They invite us to the Savior, and cry, "O taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man that trusts in him."
They hold up examples before us to caution us:
as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother;
as Ishmael, that wild man, whose hand was against every man; as Esau, that self-indulging man, who for one morsel of food sold his birth-right;
and as Absalom, that vain man, who rebelled against his father, and perished in his sin.
They present examples also, to induce us to imitate them:
as Abel, that faithful man who offered unto God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain;
as Joseph, that chaste man, who would rather suffer than sin;
as Samuel, that just man, who would take no bribe, nor defraud any one;
and as David, that devout man who worshiped God himself, and induced and assisted others to do so. The prophets also call for decision, demanding, "How long will you halt between two opinions, if the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, then follow him." But though we read our Bibles, we disregard their description of our state, we slight their warnings, we neglect their exhortations, we refuse their invitations, we pay little attention to the examples set before us, and live on without decision or care. Only omnipotent grace can make us what we ought to be!
Moses and the ProphetsPersuadeUs. They deal with us as intelligent and accountable men. They persuade us:
to be thoughtful, and consider our latter end;
to shun temptation, lest we all fall into a snare;
to avoid danger, lest we rue our folly too late;
to escape Hell, the place where God’s prisoners are bound;
to enter the way to Heaven, and persevere therein until we safely arrive there; and to pursue that course, which will lead us to the highest honor.
These good men as sent of God, as inspired by God — often use loving words, powerful arguments, and striking figures. They appeal to our fear and love. They give us line upon line, and precept upon precept. By the earnestness of their manner, by the simplicity of their language, by the touching nature of their appeals — they seem to say with the apostle, "Knowing therefore the terrors of the Lord — we persuade men." They persuade us . . .
concerning Jesus,
to embrace the testimony borne,
believe the promise given,
receive the salvation presented, and
trust in his mercy and merit alone. But alas! how often they persuade in vain, and have still to cry out, "Who has believed our report — and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed?"
If We Disregard Moses and the Prophets — then Miracles Would Not Persuade Us. The mind is changed by conviction, not by emotion; and the Word of God is intended to produce that conviction. We are influenced by motives, not by prodigies; and motives are awakened and directed by truth, not by miracles. There is a suitableness in Scripture to inform, impress, stimulate, and persuade us; but not in the resurrection of a dead man from the grave. The former is God’s ordinance, wisely ordained and adapted to the purpose, the latter is man’s wish, arising from ignorance and mistake. Let us therefore not wish for miracles or prodigies — but pray that the Holy Spirit may by the Word persuade us of our lost estate and danger, and to receive Christ to be our perfect Savior.
Young friends, read God’s Word as written for you. It was in reference to young men, that Abraham said, "They have Moses and the prophets, let them hear them: for if they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rose from the dead." Consider then, that the contents of the Bible are able to make you wise unto salvation, through faith which is in Christ Jesus. Beware of imagining, that though you remain unaffected under the reading and hearing of God’s Word — yet if something uncommon, something miraculous happened — it would persuade you, and you would be converted. The Word of God is perfect, converting the soul. The Spirit of God works by the Word, not by miracles. If you resist the evidence and power of the Word, the sight of a dead man raised to life would not convert you. Many saw Lazarus, whom Jesus raised from the dead, and remained in an unconverted state; yes, some of them were so annoyed end enraged by the testimony he bore to Jesus, that we read they sought to put Lazarus also to death.
Especially notice this, if the young men referred to were inexcusable, who only had the Old Testament, how much more are you, who have both the Old and the New. If God would not use other means to convert them — then why should he use other means with you? If they were left to themselves, because they would not be persuaded by God’s servants, how much more may you, who will not be persuaded either by his servants or his Son? You stand in a slippery place, you are on dangerous ground, take heed lest you also, by your own fault, go to that place of torment!