Scripture: “…yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life. I do not receive glory from people. But I know that you do not have the love of God within you. I have come in my Father's name, and you do not receive me. If another comes in his own name, you will receive him.” — John 5:40-43
Thought: This may be one of the clearest diagnoses of the human heart in the Bible. Jesus doesn't say, "You don't have enough information.” He says:
"You refuse to come to me."
These men had evidence everywhere. They had seen miracles. They knew the Scriptures. They had heard John the Baptist. And now the Son of God was standing in front of them. Still, they would not come.
Why? Because the fundamental problem with fallen humanity isn't merely ignorance. It's rebellion.
We sometimes describe unbelievers as good people seeking God... We just need more evidence, more time, more convincing. Scripture paints a much darker picture: "None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God” [Romans 3:10–11].
This is what theologians call total depravity. It doesn't mean every person is as evil as he could possibly be. It does means sin has touched every part of us… our body, minds, emotions, desires, and wills.
We don't merely commit sins. We are sinners. And apart from grace, our deepest problem is that we don't want God on His terms.
We want a god who affirms us.
A god who helps our plans.
A god who improves our lives.
Jesus is standing before these men and He commands repentance, surrender, and worship. They don't want that and they don't want Him.
And neither did we. That's why salvation must begin with God.
If salvation ultimately depended upon fallen man's natural willingness to choose Christ, no one would ever come. The Spirit must awaken what is dead, soften what is hard, open what is blind, and change our desires.
Grace doesn't merely make salvation possible. Grace makes sinners willing.
God doesn't drag people kicking and screaming into His kingdom. He does something far more beautiful... He changes their hearts. Suddenly the Christ we resisted becomes the Christ we desire. The Savior we rejected becomes precious. The cross that once seemed foolish becomes our only hope.
Brother, if you love Christ today, don't congratulate yourself for being good/smart/special enough to choose Him. Fall on your knees and thank God for grace. You love Him because He first loved you.
Reflection: When you think about your salvation, does it produce pride in your decision or wonder at God's grace?
Right Next Step: Take five minutes today and thank God specifically for pursuing you when you were unwilling, opening your eyes when you were blind, and giving you life when you were dead.
Prayer: “Father, I confess that apart from Your grace I would never have come to Christ. Thank You for changing my heart, opening my eyes, and making Jesus beautiful to me. Keep me humble. Keep me grateful. And keep drawing my heart toward Your Son. Amen.”
Better Man w/thx - https://betterman.com/
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