I am struck by the combination and the order of these words found in Isaiah 1:19, willing before obedient.
I have read parts of The God Delusion and quickly figured out that Dawkins’ largest problem is an unwillingness to believe. His is not an intellectual issue, nor an evidence issue, it is a will issue. He does not desire or choose to be open to the existence of a creator God.
There is an old saying that I heard long ago. “A man convinced against his will is of the same opinion still.” To back someone into a corner in argument may not change his opinion.
It is only the Holy Spirit who can muck around in a person’s will. I cannot change someone’s mind if they are unwilling to believe. God, however, can do exactly that as is evidenced by C. S. Lewis in his autobiography. I believe it was in Surprised by Joy that he acknowledged himself to have been the most unwilling convert.
May we all be willing to hear God’s voice as we seek to move forward in an increasingly hostile culture. It is only when we are willing that we can then become obedient.
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