Deception or Deliverance?

Deception or Deliverance? The Bible recognizes two classes of people, no matter what their race or economic circumstances--believers and non-believers. Never is that more clear than in this passage from John 7.

45 Then came the officers to the chief priests and Pharisees; and they said unto them, Why have ye not brought him?
46 The officers answered, Never man spake like this man.
47 Then answered them the Pharisees, Are ye also deceived?
48 Have any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed on him?
49 But this people who knoweth not the law are cursed.
50 Nicodemus saith unto them, (he that came to Jesus by night, being one of them,)
51 Doth our law judge any man, before it hear him, and know what he doeth?
52They answered and said unto him, Art thou also of Galilee? Search, and look: for out of Galilee ariseth no prophet.
53 And every man went unto his own house.
(John 7:45-53, King James Version)

Deception or Deliverance?

The Bible recognizes two classes of people, no matter what their race or economic circumstances--believers and non-believers. Never is that more clear than in this passage from John 7. For the Christian, reading the Bible puts everything in perspective, but for the non-Christian, the Bible often seems contradictory and unclear.

What is the difference? The grace of God! It is the Holy Spirit who opens our blind eyes and causes us to see and understand the truths expressed in the Bible.

The chief priests sent officers to arrest Jesus, but when the officers returned, Jesus was not with them. When asked why, they responded, Never man spake like this man.

Filled with contempt, the Jewish leaders said, Are ye also deceived?

They all heard the same words spoken by Christ, but their reactions were totally opposite one another. The Pharisees, filled with their own learning, sneered, Search, and look: for out of Galilee ariseth no prophet.

They were right, but, with a little investigating, could have learned that Jesus was born in Bethlehem, as was prophesied by Scriptures. But, the blind does not seek the truth unless moved upon by the Holy Spirit.

Are you a Christian? Take sometime today to praise God, for it is He who has revealed Himself to you. Without the grace of God, all of us would be lost in our spiritual blindness.

Oh, how I love Jesus,
Because He first loved me!