250. MAR 6:6. UNBELIEF

Mar_6:6. Unbelief

"And he marvelled because of their unbelief"’97Mar_6:6.

See the connection of the text with Christ’s visit to his own country, &c. His teaching. The reasoning of the people. Their rejection of Christ. Then his marvelling "because of their unbelief." Unbelief is the rejection of testimony although supported by sufficient evidence. It is the closing of the eyes against the light. It is refusing the admission of truth into the mind. Some persons profess to be total unbelievers in all that respects divine revelation. Others are partially so. They admit such portions of the sacred volume as comport with their ideas and views of things. Others profess to believe the whole, but practically demonstrate that they are entire strangers to the purifying faith of the Gospel. Unbelief in any of its modes or degrees is the rejection of Christ and his Gospel.

As such, let us consider, The Evil,’97Causes,’97and Effects of Unbelief.

Let us notice,

I. The Evil of Unbelief

1. Unbelief undervalues all the perfections of Deity.

In redemption God has given the brightest and fullest revelation of his adorable attributes. Here is a display of his infinite skill, almighty power, inflexible justice, unspotted purity, and incomprehensible mercy. Unbelief disregards, and practically pours contempt upon the whole.

2. Unbelief insults all the persons of the Godhead.

It rejects the record and testimony of the Father, with all the overflowings of his love. It rejects the life, and sufferings, and death of the Son, the great and only sacrifice for guilt. It rejects all the wooings and influences of the Spirit, by which alone the mind can be enlightened, and the heart renewed.

3. Unbelief renders the all-important work of salvation impossible.

Faith is the first step. Without faith impossible to please God. Unbelief binds the soul in fetters; paralyzes the faculties of the mind; darkens the eye; closes the ear; hardens the heart; and renders statement, precept, promise, and threatening alike in vain.

Let us, then, consider,

II. The Causes of Unbelief.

1. There is the natural depravity of the heart.

First sin was one of unbelief. This is one of the native diseases of the heart See Heb_3:12. "Take heed," &c.

Then,

2. There is ignorance, or blindness of mind.

Hence the murderers of Christ, who rejected him to the last, "knew not what they did." So Saul of Tarsus, &c. "He did it ignorantly through unbelief." Dark ness is the element of unbelief.

3. There is love of sin.

The Gospel testimony demands the sacrifice of every idol for Christ. All must be forsaken for the cross. Men therefore dislike this, and love their sins, and willingly remain in unbelief.

4. There is Satanic influence.

Spirit of God disposes to faith; the spirit of the wicked one to unbelief. See 2Co_4:14.

5. There is the pride of human nature.

Faith humbles the soul; prostrates the high imaginations of the heart, &c.; produces conviction, contrition, and confession of soul. Men naturally love to exalt themselves, and therefore proudly reject the message of the cross.

Let us, then, advert,

III. To the effects of unbelief.

1. It keeps us in a state of condemnation before God.

"He that believeth not. is condemned already, and the wrath of God abideth on him."

2. It renders useless all the provisions of the Gospel.

Refuses the feast. Rejects the water of life. Looks not at the cross. Applies not to the physician, &c. Flees not to the refuge, &c.

3. It is a sin for which there can be no remedy.

For it utterly rejects the divine remedy, and spurns the only means of salvation.

4. It is a sin peculiar to those favored with the light of the gospel.

Pagans cannot properly be chargeable with it; and devils believe and tremble.

5. A sin which, if not abandoned, must consign to eternal remediless perdition.

"He that believeth not shall be damned,"

Application

1. Learn your responsibility. God calls upon you to believe. You have all that is necessary to enable you to exercise faith; faculties, Gospel, &c. "Faith cometh by hearing," &c.

2. However feeble faith is, if exercised it shall be increased.

3. Let it be exercised now, "For behold, now," &c. "The word is nigh thee," &c. Rom_10:8-17.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS