John 9:31-34

31 Now we know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does His will, He hears him. 

32 Since the world began it has been unheard of that anyone opened the eyes of one who was born blind. 

33 If this Man were not from God, He could do nothing.”

34 They answered and said to him, “You were completely born in sins, and are you teaching us?” And they cast him out.

“If this Man were not from God, He could do nothing.”

The formerly blind man continued to confidently defend Jesus with a very logical argument in verses 31 through 33. He said, paraphrasing, “We all know that God does not hear the prayers of sinners; but if a person worships God and does His will, then God hears his prayers. And no one has EVER healed a blind person. This Man has to be from God, or He could not do this or anything else.” Think about the logic that this man is speaking with. The Pharisees said that Jesus was a sinner. The man refuted that statement with the idea that only God would be able to heal a blind person. Since Jesus healed him, He had to be from God, because God does not hear the prayers of sinners. God only hears the prayers of people who do His will. This makes perfect sense! No one had ever heard of a blind person being healed before. This was the first! If Jesus were not from God, He would not have been able to do this or any other miracle. You would think that intelligent people could understand what this formerly blind man is saying, but they still closed their ears to the truth. They might as well have had sound-canceling headphones on because they were not hearing him. Or rather… they were choosing not to listen. They heard, but would not listen. There is a big difference between the two. How many people sit in pews every Sunday and hear the gospel, but remain lost because they either haven’t obeyed or have fallen away? They are hearing, but not letting it sink in. I pray that it sinks in before it is too late for them. I was one of those wayward people, off and on for a lot of years. I sat in the pew, and made excuses for myself, justified myself, and told myself that I was ok. Let me say this… if we have to make excuses, justify ourselves, and tell ourselves that we are ok, as the preacher is extending the invitation… then we are probably not ok. 

Before I am through, I would like to elaborate on the statement by the formerly blind man about God not hearing the prayers of sinners. First of all, God hears everything. He hears everything. Psalm 139:4 says this, “For there is not a word on my tongue, but behold, O Lord, You know it altogether.” He may not respond to the person’s prayer, but that doesn’t mean He doesn’t hear the person’s prayer. And aren’t we all sinners (Romans 3:23)? If we straight up go by this, then God would hear or respond to no one’s prayers… not mine, not yours, not anyone’s. There are examples of God refusing to hear sinners’ prayers (1 Peter 3:12, Proverbs 28:9, Psalms 34:15-16, Psalms 66:18). But there are examples of God hearing sinners’ prayers (1 John 1:9, Acts 8:22-23, Acts 9:10-11, Acts 10:4, 31). It really depends on the attitude of the person praying. God knows if a person has a willing and open heart to the gospel. God will not respond to a rebellious-hearted person, whether he/she is a person who has never known God (Ephesians 2:11-12), or is a wayward Christian (1 John 5:16). God will turn His face away from rebellion (Isaiah 59:1-2). However, He will hear and respond to a Christian who is trying to do what is right, but falls short at times (1 John 1:7-9). He will also hear a person who is honestly seeking to know the truth, as Saul (Paul) was when he prayed after being struck blind on the road (Acts 9:10-11) and Cornelius, who prayed sincerely to God with an open heart (Acts 10:4, 31). In both instances, though, the prayer is not what ultimately saved Saul (Paul) and Cornelius. It was their willingness to humble themselves to the will of God and obey Him in repentance and baptism. A person who is trying to be saved by prayer only is rebellious, because he/she is not obeying the gospel. No one can set their own terms of salvation by praying to God. God responds to the people who obey Him, or who have an open heart of obedience (1 John 3:22).

Below is a really great article on this subject, which I studied before I wrote this. 

https://www.fishers-churchofchrist.com/resources/articles/2021/01/17/does-god-hear-a-sinners-prayer

In verse 34, the Pharisees are true to their word. They excommunicate the man. They said to the man, paraphrasing, “Who are you to teach us? You were obviously born in sin, because you were born blind.” This goes back to the question that the disciples asked Jesus before He healed the man. “What sin did this man or his parents commit to cause him to be born blind?” This was the way of thinking of these Pharisees, and this is how they disregarded this man’s testimony about his healing and about Jesus. They made the excuse…” Well, this man is a sinner anyway, or else why would God have punished him with a lifetime of blindness? We are not obligated to listen to him. We are God’s chosen people, and we are disciples of Moses.” How sad! They had Jesus with them and rejected Him. How many of us today would give anything to have gotten to hear Him in person? To sit at His feet? No worries. We will get to be with Him for eternity someday! 

God means for everyone to learn what the Bible teaches about being saved. It only takes an open heart for Jesus and a willingness to put away what we’ve been taught in the past, and truly read what God’s Word says for ourselves… and then accept what it says and obey it. If I can help you in any way, I would love to! Are you walking in the light? Are you in Christ? Are you saved? If you aren’t, or if you’re not sure if you are, I’d love to help you. Are you a member of the Lord’s church, but are struggling spiritually in your walk with Christ? If you are… believe me, I’ve been there many times, and I’d love to help you. If you have any questions, please reach out. 

I love God’s Word. It challenges me to be better… to do more in His service. It is interesting and keeps me on the edge of my seat, wondering what will happen next. It gives me confidence and builds me up, and it brings me to my knees when my soul needs convicting! Thank you, Father, for the wonderful gift of Your Word!

God’s Plan of Salvation

Below is the plan God has outlined in His Word for humankind to receive His grace, which leads to salvation and an eternity with God in heaven. This plan is straight from the Bible. 

We have to hear His word. (Romans 10:17) 

Upon hearing the message of Jesus, we believe it. (Mark 16:16) 

Then, we confess Jesus’ name before men. (Matthew 10:32) 

Next, we repent of our sins. (Acts 2:38, Acts 3:19) 

Finally, we are baptized into Christ for the remission of our sins.  (Acts 2:38, Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 16:16, Romans 6:3-4, Acts 22:16, 1 Corinthians 12:13, Galatians 3:26-27) After baptism, God adds us to His church. (Acts 2:47)