Today's Passage - John 12:37-43

River of Life Christian Church ︳www.rolcc.net/english John 12: 37-43   For this reason they could not believe, because, as Isaiah says elsewhere, " He has blinded their eyes and deadened their hearts, so they can neither see with their eyes, nor understand with their hearts, nor turn -  and I would heal them. Isaiah said this because he saw Jesus' glory and spoke of him.  Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in him.  But because of the Pharisees they would not confess their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue; for they loved praise from men more than praise from God.   God says here, "He has blinded their eyes and deadened their hearts, so they can neither see with their eye, nor understand with their hearts, nor turn - and I would heal them."  It appears the Lord wanted us blinded and our hearts hardened, but in reality this is not the case!  All throughout the Bible, we can see God wants to treat us with grace, but our hearts are often hardened, our eyes blinded to the point that we no longer can receive God's grace. In fact, if we repent, God will bestow upon us with His grace.  Otherwise, God will let our hearts stay hardened and our eyes blinded.    As recorded in the Bible, the word" returning" between us and God has always been in a reciprocal manner.  On one hand, God has not condemned us according to His righteousness, nor did He punish us because of our sins; He is willing to forgive our sins according to His graciousness so that we may enjoy His full blessings.  On the other hand, it is required that we repent and open our hearts to God so that we may receive all His abundant blessings.   There were many leaders at that time who believed in the Lord, but due to the presence of the Pharisees, they were afraid to confess their faith because they loved the praise from men more than that from God.  In other words, they were afraid of men more than their fear for God.  If this is the case for us, we would absolutely be treading on the world's path.  But whenever our fear for God surpasses that for men, we can be victorious over this world, and we would definitely be choosing His way and walk in His grace.                                                         Pray with Pastor Tong           Lord, we thank you for you are a God of grace waiting for us to enter into your bosom.  May the Lord give us a heart of obedience so that we may return to you and enjoy all your blessings.  With thanks we pray in the victorious name of Jesus, Amen!