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NASB | John 9:31 "We know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is God-fearing and does His will, He hears him. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | John 9:31 "We know [according to your tradition] that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone fears God and does His will, He hears him. |
Bible Question:
EdB your wisdom concerning Gamaliel’s advice is very enlightening. However, how would you explain John 9:31 “Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.” I agree that God must hear the prayer of the sinner when he repents. And I know that “(all things) work together for the good of them that love the Lord.” The repentant sinner has seen the error of his way and has come to repentance for the love of the Lord. I want to agree with you wholeheartedly, but I haven’t gotten past the mote in my eye where John 9:31 is concerned. I am familiar with Balaam’s story as well, and you bring out a very thought provoking point, what some would consider a contradiction, but what you and I know is fact, not contradiction, (whether we understand it or not.) Please help me with this, EdB. For it is a deep and meaty subject. Thanks George |
Bible Answer: George I think the man was speaking from Jewish prejudice. The Jews of the time believed if you were born blind your parents were sinners, if something bad happened to you were in sin and if anything good happened you were of God. This is clearly seen in Job and Job’s friends accusing him of unrepented sin. The first part of what he said we know is wrong, God does hear sinners when they pray for salvation. We also know the second part to be correct God hears our prayers. However that does not mean God always answers our prayers the way we think He should. God will make all things work to our good and to His Glory. God is running things not us or our prayers. That all said I believe the man spoke true in the fact he was saying surely Jesus is of God. As he stated up to this point a miracle so great has never been done by anyone except God. I hope this answers your question EdB |