Two kinds of people?

Genesis 19; Nehemiah 8; Matthew 18; Acts 18

Why do some people have a great interest in spiritual truth and others do not? The readings today describe both and I try to understand what makes the difference.

Genesis tells of the angels who appeared as men and came to warn Lot that they were about to destroy Sodom. As soon as it was nighttime . . .

But before they lay down, the men of the city, the men of Sodom, both young and old, all the people to the last man, surrounded the house. And they called to Lot, “Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us, that we may know them.” (Genesis 19:4–5)

“Know them” is a euphemism. These people had rape in mind and were insistent. Lot begged them, even offered them his daughters likely because he knew they were not interested in women. They wanted the men and pressed against Lot ready to break the door down . . .

But the men (angels) reached out their hands and brought Lot into the house with them and shut the door. And they struck with blindness the men who were at the entrance of the house, both small and great, so that they wore themselves out groping for the door. (Genesis 19:10–11)

This crowd were so filled with their desire that they lost their ability to see straight.

The crowd in Nehemiah were as opposite as opposite can be. Ezra the scribe read from the Law of God and the people  gathered to hear it.

And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was above all the people, and as he opened it all the people stood. And Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God, and all the people answered, “Amen, Amen,” lifting up their hands. And they bowed their heads and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground. (Nehemiah 8:5–6)

These people “wept as there heard the words” and were told not to be grieved “for the joy of the Lord is your strength” and they rejoiced “because they had understood the words that were declared to them.” (Nehemiah 8:9-12)

Matthew offers a mixed bag but begins with Jesus telling the disciples the necessary attitude for entering His kingdom:

And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.” (Matthew 18:2–6)

Acts speaks also of crowds, this time about those who believed in Jesus and those who insisted they were wrong.

But when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews made a united attack on Paul and brought him before the tribunal, saying, “This man is persuading people to worship God contrary to the law.” (Acts 18:12–13)

Their religion was the do-it-yourself kind. They didn’t want a Messiah to save them, unlike those who believed:

And when (Paul) wished to cross to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to welcome him. When he arrived, he greatly helped those who through grace had believed, for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, showing by the Scriptures that the Christ was Jesus. (Acts 18:27–28)

I’ve heard jokes about ‘two kinds of people in the world’ but the way of salvation is no laughing matter. In these readings, God’s Word describes those so wrapped up in sin that they do not want salvation at all, and those whose saving power is either themselves or their religious system. Either way, God says these people are in one group: the lost.

The other group are people who hear the Word of God and respond in faith. They know they are sinners and are willing to repent and trust in God’s way of salvation — by grace through faith — because they humbly admit that they cannot save themselves. Like children, they put their hands in the hand of God and trust Him to take them into His care. They are in another group: the saved.

For me, it works that way every day. I cannot handle the temptations and challenges of everyday life, never mind the sorrow of losing my BFF sister. I could insist on my own way but if I did, I am never able to come up with anything that works. He holds my hand and He is sufficient for whatever I need. I will stick with the crowd who love the ways of the Lord, those who through grace believe everything He says.