Unbelief: An Active Stance with Eternal Consequences

Unbelief, as seen in the temple of Jerusalem, is the simple truth this evening. Perhaps the terms and the categories have changed a little, the actual form of the opposition, but that doesn't matter. What he's concerned with is principles, and these abide the same. Everything we've considered so far about these people we have seen to be the simple truth about unbelievers tonight. [00:07:07]

While we think that we are examining him, what is really happening is that we are being examined by him. Now look at the position here in the temple at Jerusalem. Here are these Jews, and remember these are the doctors of the law, the Pharisees and scribes and others. You notice that we shall be dealing in a moment with a reference to the people. [00:09:19]

What is really happening is, of course, that he's examining them. The tables are turned, and as you read the entire section, you will see it. You can't fail to see it. They become silent, and he goes on talking, and he's telling them things about himself and exposing them to themselves. You know, it's a dangerous thing in a sense to come anywhere near the Lord Jesus Christ. [00:10:32]

Be careful what you say about this person. He himself said on one occasion, by your words you shall be justified, and by your words you shall be condemned. Any passing light word you may utter about him is recorded and will be produced in the day of judgment, so that our very approach to this person needs to be rather careful. [00:13:52]

He knows us in a way that nobody else knows us. Where do you find that, sir? Someone will let me tell you. Here is our Lord addressing the Jews. He said, did not Moses give you the law, and yet none of you keepeth the law. Why go ye about to kill me? That's what he said to the Jews. [00:14:38]

Here is one, I say, who knows us in a way that nobody else knows us. We have all got skeletons in the cupboard, and not one of us is what we appear to be. We pay attention to the externals, to the surface, and people accept us at our own valuation, never more so than today, and the world doesn't know us. [00:17:04]

He knows the heart, and he alone knows the heart. It's here in two of our verses this evening. You see, he knows that in the heart of these Jewish authorities there is this murder, this murderous intent, this hatred, this anim. Of course, they don't speak like that. They speak with sarcasm, and the average man only heard the sarcasm. [00:18:09]

He knows all about you, everything, all the secret hidden recesses of your inous being. They're all before him. He knows everything, our thoughts, our desires, our imaginations. But oh, says a man, you can't point a finger at me. I haven't done this or that or the other. Wait a moment, says Christ, I know your thoughts. [00:19:29]

Unbelief is always hypocritical and dishonest. That's a strong statement, isn't it? But I'm going to substantiate it. Unbelief is always hypocritical and dishonest. Oh, but says somebody, I thought it was you religious people who are the Hypocrites. Not at all, says Christ. It's the man who's not a Christian as the hypocrite. [00:25:53]

The Pharisees had reduced the law of God to a matter of the letter. These men were doing it. Murder, they were never going to commit murder, you know. None of these ever took a club and beat the Lord Jesus Christ on his head. No, no, of course, they'd never committed murder. They arranged somebody else should do it, but then that meant they were all right. [00:31:08]

What matters with regard to the law is not the letter but the spirit. You can prove, you say, that you've never murdered a man. Have you ever said about your brother, thou fool? If you have, says Christ, you're of murder in your heart. You say, I've never committed adultery. All right, says Christ, have you ever looked upon a woman to lust? [00:32:08]

They are so tied down by their prejudices and their preconceived notions that they're arguing against themselves and are utterly ridiculous. So bed down, I say, by details that they don't see the big principle, the great fact, the spirit of it all. And isn't that the trouble with all who do not believe on the Lord Jesus Christ? [00:37:10]