The resurrection of our Savior is the greatest proof of his divinity and complete success in saving sinners. Any person could see this sign and know that Jesus really was God manifest in the flesh. However, all did not believe even though there was irrefutable evidence. This was even true before Christ’s resurrection when he was healing and performing miracles. How could individuals see these miraculous events and not acknowledge Jesus as Lord?
Jesus told a group of Jews asking for more evidence, “I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father’s name, they bear witness of me. But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you” (John 10:25-26). Why did these Jews completely reject with animosity all the evidence that was set before them? Their hate filled unbelief was a direct result of them not being Christ’s sheep, “ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep” (v. 26). Simple stated, they could not believe because they were not his children. Jesus would also illustrate this point by saying that, “If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead” (Luke 16:31). Even the resurrection of the Son of God cannot persuade a person who is dead in their sins.
With that said, believers rejoice in the gospel presented before them because they have received an internal call of God, have been brought into a living relationship with him, and now are led by the Spirit of God (John 10:27). The difference between the two diametrically opposed groups is the active, intervening sovereignty of God.
Believers equally have the hope that if God has begun this work in them then he will finish it to completion (Philippians 1:6). Your hand of faith may at times get very weak and lose grip, yet, you are kept from destruction being found safe in the strength of the hand of God. The difference in you is God, and that difference is eternal.
“And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.” John 10:28
Originally published April 2019