Read: John 9-10
Marked: John 9:31, “Now we know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does His will, He hears him.”
I was watching an episode of a TV series when the main character, after a horrific night, said this prayer, “I used to believe in salvation, that good was rewarded and evil punished. I don’t believe that anymore…but if there is a next life, and You do exist, please take care of my sister.”
Does God hear the prayers of sinners? According to Isaiah 1:15 and Psalms 66:18 there is nothing to cause us to believe that God is obligated to hear the prayer of a sinner. But He does. However, God is not some celestial insurance agent.
In this TV episode there was no indication of faith in the life of the character. She even stated she doesn’t believe what she may have once believed, but then covers her unbelief with the universal “but”. She makes no acknowledgement of her own sinful condition before God before expressing her need of the One she doesn’t believe exists. Would I really want to stake my eternity on a “but”?
Consider Hebrews 11:6, But without faith [it is] impossible to please [Him,] for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and [that] He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
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