Stubborn Unbelief
He is patient . . .
1 Peter 3:9
God welcomes anyone—absolutely anyone—who sincerely turns to Him in repentance and faith, even at the last minute. The Bible says, “He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).
When the Lord Jesus was crucified, two criminals were executed with Him. They only had hours to live, and soon they would enter eternity and face God’s judgement. But in spite of that, one of them continued to mock Jesus and wanted nothing to do with Him; he refused to turn from his stubborn unbelief. But the other man turned in faith to the Lord, asking Jesus to save him and grant him eternal life—and Jesus did. He declared, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43).
But God cannot save someone who refuses to be saved—and when a person repeatedly turns their back on Christ, their heart grows more and more hardened toward God. As a result, it becomes easier and easier for them to resist God’s call, and—like that unrepentant criminal on the cross—they are in danger of refusing to turn from their stubborn unbelief.
Only God can change such hearts, and only God can break through the barrier of unbelief. If someone you know is in stubborn unbelief, pray for them, that God will break through those barriers and draw them to His Son, Jesus Christ. Pray to that God will help you be an example to them of the hope and new life we have because of Christ.
Bible Reading
2 Peter 3:8-13.
Prayer
Lord Almighty, I pray this day for those that do not know the Lord Jesus, and I ask that You break whatever it is that has control over their heart that takes them away from knowing You. Help me to live for You and to share my faith with others. In Jesus name I prayer. Amen.
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