God Spoke Through A Pagan Sorcerer
When God spoke through Balaam, a pagan sorcerer, it showed that He could speak to and through anyone, regardless of their spiritual condition.(Numbers 24:1,2) In fact, this is just one example of God speaking to a person who was "dead in trespasses and sins." God spoke to Adam and Eve soon after they fell into sin, and they were separated from God. He spoke to King Cyrus and King Nebuchadnezzar. See what I mean. God is not prevented from speaking to a person because they do not know Him.
John 16:8-11 assures us that the Holy Spirit convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment. The only way to understand that verse is that the world is all people who live in the world, believers and unbelievers. Therefore, we can be sure that anyone we might speak to has already been spoken to by God.(Romans 1:19) He has convicted them of sin, righteousness, and judgment. We are simply reinforcing what the Spirit has told them. Then, they have a choice. Even Balaam had a choice. He could have disobeyed what God told Him to say, but the Lord would have stopped him from cursing Israel one way or another. We read that the angel was ready to kill him, if necessary.
I say all of this to make us think, and to ask that we realize the greatness and the mercy of God. God is not limited because of our sinful nature before salvation. He speaks to every person. He gives each of us a chance to believe in Him. If we will believe, He will send us more and more truth until we hear about Christ and trust Him as Lord and Savior. Please, do not think God's hands are tied. Also, be encouraged. You are not the first one to speak to anyone about the Lord. He has gone before you, and their heart is somewhat prepared. It may be hard from rejecting God's appeals, but it is prepared in that God has shown Himself to them, and He has spoken lovingly to their hearts.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Numbers 25-27.
John 16:8-11 assures us that the Holy Spirit convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment. The only way to understand that verse is that the world is all people who live in the world, believers and unbelievers. Therefore, we can be sure that anyone we might speak to has already been spoken to by God.(Romans 1:19) He has convicted them of sin, righteousness, and judgment. We are simply reinforcing what the Spirit has told them. Then, they have a choice. Even Balaam had a choice. He could have disobeyed what God told Him to say, but the Lord would have stopped him from cursing Israel one way or another. We read that the angel was ready to kill him, if necessary.
I say all of this to make us think, and to ask that we realize the greatness and the mercy of God. God is not limited because of our sinful nature before salvation. He speaks to every person. He gives each of us a chance to believe in Him. If we will believe, He will send us more and more truth until we hear about Christ and trust Him as Lord and Savior. Please, do not think God's hands are tied. Also, be encouraged. You are not the first one to speak to anyone about the Lord. He has gone before you, and their heart is somewhat prepared. It may be hard from rejecting God's appeals, but it is prepared in that God has shown Himself to them, and He has spoken lovingly to their hearts.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Numbers 25-27.