So, I have just come to think that there exists no proof that you as an individual would accept. That part is out of my hands, and there is nothing I can do about it. All of us have different levels of proof that we will accept on certain things. Some accept proof on a preponderance, or a reasonable proof, or sometimes it must be beyond a reasonable doubt. Still others might require it to a scientific certitude, by the measure of science at a given time. IOW, “proof” as a term is very relative.
I believe that on matters of faith that God determines the exact level of “proof” required by each of His children. For example, some believe BECAUSE they have seen, while others believe without seeing.
= = =
INDEED!
With relative hazards and . . . rewards accordingly vis a vis to our responses—particularly in our hearts—to the level of proof God provides.
He may have designed us to relate responsively to Him with say a level of proof at 5.0. Yet, if we stamp our feet and insist on our own way unless He provides a level of proof at 9.9 . . . He is not likely to be impressed nor compliant with our demands of Him on that score.
For others, He may provide miracle after miracle . . . either because it is His good Daddy-loves-blessing-some-kids-differntly-pleasure to do so in His relationship with that individual or—because He designed that individual to do best in that kind of context as they are being trained to rule in their slot and role in eternity.
imho, of course.
I very strongly suspect that few of those who demand physical "proof" will receive it.
Or to put it another way, not everyone will be treated like doubting Thomas. (John 20:24-29)
As Christ said:
But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas: For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas [is] here. The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon [is] here. - Matthew 12:28-32
In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. – I John 4:9
Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, [art] in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. – John 17:20-23
For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. – Colossians 3:3
And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day. – John 12:47-48
To God be the glory, not man, never man.
Yes. You know that I am a Reformer, yet there is a way that I can agree with much of this. I agree that God is not impressed and won't respond when the non-elect stamp their feet, etc. Anyway, when God changes the heart of an elect, it is not necessarily an instant happening. Often, it is a gradual process. So, for His elect, I would say that God does whatever level of convincing that is required, according to God's design of the person. I, for example, am a "sledgehammer" guy (referring to what is needed). So, that's what God used after I rejected the initial "tugs". It wasn't that God "kept on trying", it was His entire plan all along that it would take exactly as long as it took. And of course I learned throughout the whole process, to my benefit from then on. :)