God Hears Not Sinners? - John 9:31

John the apostle wrote how Jesus saw a man who was born blind and healed him by making clay, anointing his eyes, and having him wash in the pool of Siloam. The “blind man's” neighbors “brought to the Pharisees him that aforetime was blind. And it was the sabbath day when Jesus made the clay, and opened his eyes. Then again the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. He said unto them, He put clay upon my eyes, and I washed, and do see. Therefore said some of the Pharisees, This man is not of God, because he keeps not the sabbath day. Others said, How can a man that is a sinner do such miracles? And there was a division among them. They said unto the blind man again, What do you say of him, that he has opened your eyes? He said, He is a prophet. But the Jews did not believe concerning him, that he had been blind, and received his sight, until they called the parents of him that had received his sight. And they asked them, saying, Is this your son, whom you say was born blind? how then does he now see? His parents answered them and said, We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind: These words spoke his parents, because they feared the Jews: for the Jews had agreed already, that if any man did confess that he was Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue. Therefore said his parents, He is of age; ask him. Then again called they the man that was blind, and said unto him, Give God the praise: we know that this man is a sinner. He answered and said, Whether he be a sinner or not, I know not:one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see. Then said they to him again, What did he to you? how opened he your eyes? He answered them, I have told you already, and you did not hear: wherefore would you hear it again? will you also be his disciples? Then they reviled him, and said, You are his disciple; but we are Moses' disciples. We know that God spoke unto Moses: as for this fellow, we know not from where he is. The man answered and said unto them, Why herein is a marvelous thing, that you know not from where he is, and yet he has opened my eyes”, and in chapter nine and verse thirty-one of his book John shared how the formally blind man said, “we know that God hears not sinners” where we read:

Now we know that God hears not sinners:

but if any man be a worshiper of God, and does his will, him he hears.

The verse reads, “Now we know that God hears not sinners:” John began with the words, “now we know” which means “even so and indeed we, the formally blind man and those around him, understand, perceive, discover and discern that” “God hears not sinners” or “the Godhead is not endowed with hearing, perceiving, understanding, discerning and discovering toward those who miss the mark, err, are mistaken and violate the law of God”. John shared how the “formally blind man” declared that he and others “understood” that “God” does not “listen to or have understanding” toward people who violate His law.

The verse continues, “but if any man be a worshiper of God, and does his will, him he hears.” John added the words, “but if any man” which means “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover whether a certain or particular person whether male or female” “be a worshiper of God” or “exists as a reverent and pious toward the Godhead bodily and trinity which is comprised of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit”, “and does his will” which means “and performs, makes ready and produces God's desire, pleasure, choice, inclination and pleasure”, “him he hears” or “the person who does God's will will be perceived, understood and noticed by God”. John shared how the “formally blind man” declared people who are “God's worshipers” and perform His desire will be heard by Him.

When we think through John's words in this verse, we learn what this “formally blind man” thought about who “God” hears. God does “hear sinners” because if He didn't, no one could be saved, however, this man was so moved by what Jesus did and the lack of knowledge of Him by the religious leaders that he was overcome that Jesus would heal him. God wants to provide “spiritual sight” to every person who will believe and trust in Him as their personal “Savior and Lord”. Those who are wise will worship Him, perform His will and submit themselves to His purpose and plan for their lives.

Next time John shares how the formally blind man says, “it was not heard that any man opened the eyes of one that was born blind”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".