Dogged, determined, defiant disbelief.
Said the religious leaders to one another, “What shall we do with these men? For the fact that a noteworthy miracle has taken place through them is apparent to all who live in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it” (Acts 4:16).
What I think I hear them saying is, “Ok, much as we would like to, we can’t deny they performed a miraculous sign. But miracle or no miracle, we are NOT going to believe in this Jesus, in whose name they healed this man. Period. Case closed.”
Astounding, isn’t it?
Is such dogged, determined, defiant disbelief found only among unbelievers? I’d like to think so. But believers can wade out quite deeply into those waters as well. And that should give us pause.
Remember Thomas? “Unless I see in His hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into His side, I will never believe” (Jn. 20:25).
And don’t forget that these words were written to Christians: “See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God” (Heb. 3:12).
Lord, help me to be believing, and not unbelieving! Help me in my unbelief!