What’s wrong with wanting hard evidence? (Luke 11:29)
29 When the crowds were increasing, he began to say, "This generation is an evil generation. It seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah."
Luke 11:29 - 32
ESV - 29 When the crowds were increasing, he began to say, "This generation is an evil generation. It seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah. 30 For as Jonah became a sign to the people of Nineveh, so will the Son of Man be to this generation.
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ainsley chalmers
Hard or irrefutable evidence for the existence of God is everywhere, such as seen in the incredible design seen in creation and in the numerous lives changed by the indwelling Holy Spirit. We need to instruct our young in the evidence of God, that Jesus Christ is the God of creation, and that all blessings flow exclusively from Him alone. The world would teach them that we all came from a big bang. We need to point out how ridiculous this secular concept is in that chaos doesn’t lead to design and order. The Holy scripture teaches us to love God with our whole mind, soul and strength, and be renewed in the spirit of our minds. So we need to reinforce in our youth and new Christians the many solid evidences for the existence of our God, Jesus Christ. Accepting Jesus as Lord and Saviour is a good place to start on this journey of discovery into the complete and absolute truth residing in our loving God.
Justin Hale
"Do not answer a fool according to his folly, Lest you yourself also be like him." (Proverbs 26:4). Jesus identified this crowd and their 'generation' (that is, 'type of person'), as evil. He describes demons by their 'genera' too. So what is the point to displaying divine 'hard evidence' to a being that has already permanently decided to reject or defame GOD? "The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They act corruptly, they commit abominable deeds; There is no one among them who does good." (Psalm 14:1). This observation was how Jesus concluded that they were 'evil.' What happens exactly when people who decide to believe that GOD doesn't exist, (or clearly behave as though they do), suddenly see divine miracles with undeniable proof? They almost immediately 'blaspheme the Holy Spirit,' which is defined as treating genuine divine revelation as mundane. The moment we do this, we are lost forever, since we could afterwards be in the presence of GOD Himself and He still 'doesn't exist' to us. The Author of Salvation is infinitely separated from us, so redemption is no longer possible. This is the so-called 'unpardonable sin.' It is unforgivable because WE leave ourselves no place for repentance, and we leave GOD no place for forgiveness, even if He is still willing to forgive us, (Hebrews 12:17). Like the demons inspiring this foolishness, we can never be redeemed after that point, so it is a profound kindness for GOD to spare us this 'evidence' in the distant hope of a future repentance. Instead of the 'hard evidence' requested, GOD gives this 'evil type of person' the same 'generational' example as all others. There is always a 'Jonah' figure who comes to us at some point and 'speaks our language' while inviting us to repent after warning us of impending disaster. If we listen to him, we have a chance still. After we repent, the 'hard evidence' becomes available again because it no longer represents a potential 'eternal threat' to our salvation. This is why we see so few 'public miracles' right now. It is a grace of GOD that we don't see them, since those who demand them before heeding divine warnings are teetering on irreversible eternal damnation without even realizing the true gravity of their situation. Now if you wish to see genuine 'hard evidence' for the benefit of your own faith, you desire an excellent thing. However, you need to learn to 'compete in the games' by the rules yourself too, (1 Corinthians 9:25-27), since your own growing faith cannot come at the expense of others' eternal destiny. In effect, faith cannot supersede love, since without love, even the greatest form of faith is nothing at all, (1 Corinthians 13:2). Our maturity level in Christ is actually measured by our ability to clearly discern 'good' from 'evil,' (Hebrews 5:14). So if you want to see 'hard evidence' yourself for your own personal edification, this becomes fully welcome the moment that you can be absolutely sure that 'evil' is not present there to witness it. Can you now? If not, you have two choices: a) 'Socially distance' from ALL evil people as described here, (2 Timothy 3:1-5); b) Learn, as Jesus did, to recognize when evil is present and 'default' back to the larger divine 'social signs' generally given to that 'type' of person, (pointing out the 'Jonah' of their generation), only returning to the 'hard evidence' when they choose to leave of their own accord and personal motivation. How do we 'learn' this? 'Repetitive practice,' (Biblical Greek: 'hexis,' Hebrews 5:14). It helps to realize that evil always masquerades as 'goodness,' 'enlightenment,' 'progress,' 'nobleness' and other seemingly constructive things while hiding its 'dark' side until it absolutely cannot keep it from being exposed or contained any longer, (2 Corinthians 11:13-15). Only then will you see its true face. It takes great zeal and passion to do any of that, but Christ ultimately expects this of us, (Revelation 3:19).
Mark Vestal
Israel, as a nation, lacked faith. They were given plenty of evidence, but faith has always been the underlying requirement to please God. Throughout the Old Testament Israel was given numerous miracles, signs, wonders, prophets, and eventually even their Messiah, but they continually rejected what God gave them through a lack of faith. Their promised earthly kingdom was at hand when Jesus Christ came, and could have been received had they accepted Him as their prophesied Messiah. After Israel's rejection of Christ and His crucifixion, they were still offered the chance to receive their kingdom through the promise of the holy Spirit. Their unpardonable sin was the rejection of the Spirit by the stoning death of Stephen. God's response to this, even today, offers those outside of God's covenant promises with Israel the free unmerited gift of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ to all that will believe. We have been offered something much greater than a covenant, while God's plan for Israel is 'on hold', until the fullness of the Gentiles comes in at the 'times of Israel's refreshing' (at Christ's second coming). By God's grace through faith alone in Christ alone we today are offered the free unmerited gift of salvation, adopted by God, made fellow heirs and of the same body, and partakers of God's promise in Christ by believing the gospel that saves today: 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 "15 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:" Jesus Christ took the punishment on the cross that we deserve. God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself, no longer imputing the world's trespasses. Our sins were forgiven in Christ's death and by belief in this through faith in Him we have been redeemed and made the righteousness of God in Christ. Reconcile yourself unto God by having faith in Jesus Christ and His completed work on the cross, performed on your behalf due to God's unconditional love for you.
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