"But you do not believe,
because you are not of My sheep,
as I said to you."
John 10:26
A Christian college student was trying to tell his room mate about the importance of believing in Jesus Christ. He shared with him about the death of Christ for our sins and His resurrection. The room mate said, "Listen, I don't want to hurt your feelings, but I cannot believe that any more than I can believe in the Easter bunny." The Christian was discouraged as he heard those words. He made an appointment to see his pastor.
The minister said to the young man, "You keep on talking to people about Christ, but understand that they cannot believe if they resist the work of the Holy Spirit. Only the Spirit of God can lead someone to see their need of Christ. Our job is to tell them about Christ. The rest is between the Holy Spirit and them." The pastor shared with him the words of Jesus in John 16:7-11, showing him that the Holy Spirit convinces people to believe in Christ.
Jesus had performed many signs by the power of the Holy Spirit, yet many who saw the signs refused to believe (John 10:24-25). However, those who were open to the work of God through the Holy Spirit received and believed. Saving faith in Christ is an abiding gift of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 13:13). Without the work of the Spirit of God in our hearts and lives, we cannot believe. Our inability is changed through God's ability known as grace. "For by grace are you saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God" (Ephesians 2:8-9).
The Holy Spirit enables all to believe who truly seek to know God through Christ. As we share the good news of Christ with others, always remember that we are dependent upon the Holy Spirit to affirm our witness for Christ. Those who continue to resist the Holy Spirit cannot believe.
Father, we recognize our dependence upon the Holy Spirit.
