The most bitter enemies to the truth

In the Gospels we read of religious leaders who were determined not to acknowledge Jesus to be the Son of God.

Whether He cast out devils, or raised the dead; whether His lips spoke divine wisdom, or His face shone with heavenly goodness, they had already decided not to believe in Him, and they would also prevent the people from believing.

Is it a wonder if the eyes they willfully shut would, as punishment, be sealed up in complete darkness?

Those are in a dangerous state who refuse to think of their duty to God; but those are in a much more dangerous state who only have a facade of “religion,” and call it true godliness. They are the most bitter enemies to the truth.

Heedless sinners often have a kind of respect for sincere Christians, and express a wish that they be like them; but those who trust in a mere outward appearance of piety, despise and hate real believers.

While they purposely close their eyes against the doctrines of Christ, they confidently claim that they know the truth, and they alone.

How astonished they must be, those hypocrites, when their eyes are opened, and they behold in another world the believers whom they despised seated with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, around the throne of God!

Devils believe, and, in hell, wicked people believe that Jesus is the Son of God.

Truths they are not willing to understand here with the light of the gospel, they shall clearly see in that place of outer darkness, amid the fire that never shall go out.

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