The Impossibility of Convincing Reprobates of the Gospel
Apologetics is a noble attempt by some Christians to build and present arguments for the faith. The truth, however, needs no defense. A man believes the Gospel of Jesus Christ because He has received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. The indwelling Holy Spirit grants faith to the regenerate elect soul. Upon hearing the preaching of the Gospel, grace abounds and faith manifests, as works of God, alone.
John the Baptist wavered in his faith, while waiting in prison for his death, at the hand of Herod Antipas (Lk 7:18–23). Receiving his delegation, Jesus gave them convincing proof that He was the Expected One (Lk 7:21–22). When John’s delegation departed with the Word of validation, Jesus turned to His followers. He praised His cousin in the flesh, the last prophet before the coming of Messiah.
There were two prominent groups present in that scene: tax collectors and Pharisees. The tax gatherers had received John’s baptism in the River Jordan. The Pharisees refused to be baptized by John (Lk 7:30). The Pharisees loved this present world and the religion that served them well. They were lovers of money and hypocrites. Jesus had innumerable confrontations with these men, who were popular for their showy piety. Jesus’ cutting criticisms pitted Him against them.
In the context of John the Baptist’s inquiry, Jesus referred to the Pharisees as, “men of this generation (Lk 7:31).” He formulated an illustration to prove the Pharisees were impossible to convince.
The subject in His illustration were children at play, “Let’s play wedding,” but the other children objected. “Let’s play funeral,” but the other children objected. The other children in the illustration were the Pharisees. They refused to join the people heeding the prophetic ministry of John the Baptist (Lk 7:30). They also refused to be the people celebrating the messianic ministry of Jesus.
Jesus exposed the reprobate Pharisees by highlighting their rejection of both John and Jesus. The Pharisees publicly denounced John the Baptist as a demoniac (Lk 7:33). The same Pharisees publicly denounced Jesus for His feasting with tax gatherers and sinners (Lk 7:34). Asceticism was unacceptable to them. Feasting was unacceptable to them.
The diversity found in the servants of the Lord is the wisdom of God (Lk 7:35). His ways are higher, but they are always criticized by scoffers, as being foolishness. Reprobates are at enmity with God and Christ (Ps 2). They are unelect, unregenerate, and unbelieving. It is impossible to convince them of the Gospel truth.
When reprobates encountered Jesus in the flesh, they were incensed by His righteousness, holiness, and popularity with humble sinners. Jesus and the Gospel of His kingdom expose reprobates for who and what they are in truth. The reprobate heart is hardened when he hears Christ preaching truth. The reason the reprobate cannot hear God’s Word is that He is spiritually deaf. His mind cannot comprehend Christ (Jn 1:5). He is blind to the Gospel because Satan is at work (2 Cor 4:4). The Word has not failed, however (Rom 9:6).
Christians are encouraged to obey the Lord’s command to preach the Gospel to the whole world (Mt 28:18–20; Mk 16:15, Acts 1:8). We must bear witness of Christ, to the sinners and to the saints. The seed of the Word finds some good soil, and God promises to give the increase according to His decreed will.
Our confidence is not in conversions, for some are true and some are false. Our task is to be found faithful to proclaim the excellencies of Him, who was expected and who came to save His people from their sins (Mt 1:21). He is expected to come again; therefore, Christians follow in the footsteps of John the Baptist, crying out to those who have ears to hear and those who do not. The latter will never be convinced of our witness and preaching, but that impossibility should never thwart us. Some will believe our report. Thanks be to God.
David Norczyk
Spokane Valley, Washington
October 10, 2021
