Unbelief and Hostility

When Believers encounter evidences of God it builds faith, but fully committed unbelievers deny all evidences of God whether miracles, testimonies, logic, or truth, and that produces a hostile response in them. We see this in Yeshua’s ministry and that of the Apostles, over and over. I think it is interesting that evidences of God (e.g. miracles and testimony) produce responses that are not just opposite, like refuting or denying an event, but hostility.

Scripture, presents this with accounts and admonitions to Believers. Perhaps the most famous was Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead after four days. This was indisputable and observed by many unbiased witnesses who believed as a result. The Jewish leaders recognized it, and vowed to have Yeshua killed. (John 11:45-53) When Peter healed a paralytic, (Acts 3:1-16), the Leaders were angry and jailed Peter, then threatened him further with punishment. (Acts 4:3, 12-21) When Paul was proclaiming salvation in the name of Yeshua crowds became hostile to his message and though he had performed many miracles, he was terribly persecuted. (Acts 19:11; 20:22-23) 

Yeshua was not surprised at this response and advised, “Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.” (Matthew 7:6)

He said, “Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division. From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against two and two against three. They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.” (Luke 12:51-53) Moreover, He warned, “Be on your guard; you will be handed over to the local councils and be flogged in the synagogues. On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles… You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.” (Matthew 10:17-18, 22)

In America our founders established that freedom of religious practice would be protected in the Constitution. Even so, it has been violated and restricted by certain government leaders in various jurisdictions and even the Biden Administration persecuted believers for their faith. (See Task Force to Eradicate Anti-Christian Bias) History has documented this hostility from unbelievers, but also God’s grace to His Children through protection and deliverance.