Luke 16:30-31 (NIVUK)
30 ‘“No, father Abraham,” he said, “but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.”
31 ‘He said to him, “If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.”’
I’ve always wondered how much of what lay ahead of Jesus was known by him when he spoke these words. It’s very hard to read them and not see this just as a description that people interpret amazing things, from the mindset or worldview that they enter, meaning that even seeing someone rise from the dead or similar miracles may not change their thinking or lifestyle, but as Jesus talking with his own death and resurrection in mind. Our worldviews are so integral to who we are that it is so difficult to change them ourselves, which is why trying to argue someone into belief is usually futile. Thankfully, our coming to faith is an act of the Trinity. In his love the Father sends his Son, the Son lives and dies a life of faithful love and obedience, and crucially, the Spirit works in us to generate faith and to renew God’s ‘worldview’ in us.
Spirit, renew our outlook that we might see and live as Jesus did, and work your grace in those around us, so that they too may come to enjoy God’s salvation.
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