Mike Ratliff makes some strong points in his post below.
The Book of Jeremiah is quickly becoming one of my favorites in the Bible. I already list chapter 6. I’ll add this one to my list, Jer 12:6.
- Jer 6:16 Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.
Jer 6:17 Also I set watchmen over you, saying, Hearken to the sound of the trumpet. But they said, We will not hearken. - Jer 12:6 For even thy brethren, and the house of thy father, even they have dealt treacherously with thee; yea, they have called a multitude after thee: believe them not, though they speak fair words unto thee.
Those who are truly in Christ were given to Him by the Father. These come to the Son not by self-will or by any self-power, but they “will come” because of the work of God in their heart. Those who held Jeremiah captive demanded to hear from God and even said they would obey Him, but when they received the truth, they rejected it and moved off into rebellion in the hardness of their hearts. This is what the natural man does and, will always do, unless God draws him or her by and through the washing of regeneration.
In light of these things, we should understand better why so many who oppose our ministries simply will not listen to the truth. They are convinced of their own way because they have been given over to it. They are spiritually blind and unless God breaks through that blindness, they will never believe and repent. Therefore, we must remain faithful and be content where God has us. We minister according to His will and by His power. He is our strength and portion forever.
And of course if you have been reading my blog, you know how often I quote from John 6:
Earlier John quotes Jesus saying:
Jhn 6:44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.
Jhn 6:60 Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it?
Jhn 6:61 When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend you?
Jhn 6:62 What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before?
Jhn 6:63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.
Jhn 6:64 But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him.
Jhn 6:65 And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.
Jhn 6:66 From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.
Jhn 6:67 Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?
Jhn 6:68 Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.
Jhn 6:69 And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.
Rainbow Trout 