John 8:48-58
What kind of men were calling Jesus a Samaritan and demon possessed? Religious leaders and men presumed to know God's Word. Thier words carried weight with the crowd. Certainly no one in the community would tell them that their father was the devil, as Jesus just had.
Jesus knew thier hearts. Though these men knew the law, they did not keep the law in the spirit God had given it. They knew not to murder, but still hated thier brothers. They knew not to commit adultery, but lusted after another's wife. They were liars and hypocrites. Since Satan was the father of lies - they were his children.
Jesus could have given up on them. Instead He tells them over and again that something was missing in their religion. By refusing to believe that Christ was the Son of God they were condemning themselves to eternal death. To know life they would have to believe.
Stubborness can condemn us also - and cause us to do things with severe consequences. The religious leaders began by ridiculing Jesus, became annoyed and angry, and at the end were murderous. As leaders, thier sin of stubborness had consequences for the people who listened to them rather than Christ, leading them to the same condemnation.
"So, as the Holy Spirit says: Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts..." Hebrews 3:7-8
Hardening our hearts against Christ and refusing to believe has eternal consequences!
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