John 12:39-40

[Cody]

John 12:39-40
39 "Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again,
40 He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them." KJV

These verses kind of confuse me. It says they could not believe and God has blinded their eyes and hardened their heart. Some people say that this says only God's elect have the ability to believe. What's everyones thoughts on these verses?

 

[Chad]

Simply put, if one refuses to seek the Lord they are basically blind to the truth. Their hearts are hardened as a result of their poor will and constant rejection of the Word. This of course, is ultimately rejection of Jesus Christ.

 

[Faithful Son]

I agree with Chad. Before I realized that belief in Jesus Christ is the only way to Salvation, my heart was hard against God.

I won't say I hated Him, but I was extremely angry at Him. I believed and gave room for other religions to influence in a broad spectrum, with their "feel good" teachings. I won't say I followed other religions, but I definitely took pieces of it and used it for my life.

God took me and picked me up from where I lay in my own misery and slowly but surely He brought me back to Him, with better and greater love than I could ever imagine.

So, having a hard heart, blinds you to God's truth, because your own selfish anger at Him blocks the truth.

God bless
Much love
teraside