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Todd's Blog
J.C. Ryle on UnbeliefJanuary 24th, 2010 by Todd Johnson“We see … how exceedingly sinful is the sin of unbelief. Two remarkable expressions are used in teaching this lesson. One is, that our Lord “could do no mighty work” at Nazareth, by reason of the hardness of the people’s hearts. The other is, that “He was amazed at their unbelief.” The one shows us that unbelief has a power to rob men of the highest blessings. The other shows that it is so suicidal and unreasonable a sin, that even the Son of God regards it with surprise. J.C. Ryle - Expository Thoughts on the Gospels: Mark p.65-66 13 Responses to “J.C. Ryle on Unbelief”Leave a Reply    About ToddName: Todd Johnson Verse of the Week“The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad; the desert shall rejoice and blossom like the crocus; it shall blossom abundantly and rejoice with joy and singing. The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, the majesty of Carmel and Sharon. They shall see the glory of the Lord, the majesty of our God. Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees.” - Isa 35:1-3 ESV NowReading: “Spurgeon’s Practical Wisdom” by C.H.S “Voices from the Past ” Edited by Richard Rushing “50 Peole Every Christian Should Know” by Warren Wiersbe “The Narnian – The Life and Imagination of C.S. Lewis” by Alan Jacobs Listening: Evan Wickham – Above the Sky Archives:
 
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Amazing. Convicting.
The reminder that unbelief is a matter of the heart and will is not only a caution to believers, as he indicates, but also explains why unbelievers don’t (very often) become believers by learning facts or even seeing miracles. The truth bounces off their hard heads because their heart doesn’t want to accept the implications.
The reaction of Jesus’s former neighbors is still hard for me to comprehend. Were they jealous of his abilities and therefore hated him? I just can’t see why knowing someone from an early age and then seeing them successful later on would make you want to throw them off a cliff.
Jon, Do you think that Mary getting pregnant before she was married had something to do with the hometown reaction to Jesus? Maybe they had already made up their minds about Jesus and His family.
After I read this I came away annoyed, thinking, “What do you mean talking to me about unbelief? I’m a Christian, for Christ’s sake!”
But the thoughts kept bugging me until this morning when it all came to a head: the simple truth that believing God is hard work. Belief is more than an altar call response, Bible study, or smiling at someone whom I dislike. It takes a sustained effort to find and follow God’s direction. Like exercise, if I let go long enough, the muscles atrophy and I can’t do stuff that came effortlessly a month ago.
I hate to admit it, but Ryle is right. Watch and pray.
And in the spirit of following God’s direction I would like to apologize for and retract the “for Christ’s sake” portion of my previous entry. As my three year old grandson tells me periodically, “Not funny, Grammie.”
Mrs. Magnolia- A few times I’ve wished there was a “delete” option on here. It’s kinda like an answering machine- once it’s said, there’s NOTHING you can do to take it off the machine. I appreciate your retraction tho. I should retract that I thought it was kinda funny. Glad to know I’m not the only one to put something on here I wished to get off here!
And you probably didn’t think for a moment that post#5 would be encouraging.
Again,
Oh, T Chavez Action, thanks, thanks, THANKS for the grace!!!!
Gosh, it has been a long time since I have been in here! Mrs. Crabby told me today that she said something that she wish she hadn’t so I thought I better come check it out. Hey T…thanks for being God’s grace to her.
Unbelief…we tend to look at the spectacular for confirmation of our belief when God gives us the mundane as the real proof. We think of the mighty works of God in our lives…let me speak for myself here…I tend to think of the mighty works of God in my life and forget that He is every bit as present and mighty when I go to work, when I am kind, when I serve others in washing dishes, taking out the trash, handing out bulletins…it is the mundane that has tripped me up. I ask God every day to allow me to see His handiwork in, through and around my life and the lives of others. That means when the person in front of me doesn’t barrel through the yellow light but instead stops to let that person turn left who has been waiting forever allows me the opportunity to see God’s grace extended through someone else even though it cost me some time.
Here’s to the mundane…and now I thank God for it!
Was that the light at Highway 65 and 7th?
I love you, Mr. Crabby.
Oh yes, and I have a witness! I love you too!
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not to your own understanding! We all get in trouble when we try to understand anything on our own. It is only the Spirit that understands spiritual thing’s 1Cor 2:13. Draw near to Him and He will draw near to you. Blessing’s Eric
Gee, what a bunch of foul mouths! look at post #4! just kidding. I hate my own unbelief. Though i do believe in all things biblical and love God and His people and have some works. I have no doubt that I have short changed God and therefore myself and friends and family etc. because of my own unbelief. I hate this part of my freewill. it’s scary. It’s the thing that keeps us living in a cave because we are too scared to come out into the mansion He has for us. i think when He wipes our tears in heaven, the reason we are crying is because we will realize how small minded and selfishly unbelieving we were and what it really cost us and others. But, it will be Him who is doing the wipeing and then we will be healed! But our capacity in heaven will be affected. I want all God has for me but unbelief is the cement in my shoes and sock in my mouth!
Well said Scott, well said!