12 so that WHILE SEEING, THEY MAY SEE AND NOT PERCEIVE, AND WHILE HEARING, THEY MAY HEAR AND NOT UNDERSTAND, OTHERWISE THEY MIGHT RETURN AND BE FORGIVEN.” Mark 4:10-12.
It may seem strange, even harsh, that Jesus would say: “those who are outside get everything in parables, so that WHILE SEEING, THEY MAY SEE AND NOT PERCEIVE, AND WHILE HEARING, THEY MAY HEAR AND NOT UNDERSTAND, OTHERWISE THEY MIGHT RETURN AND BE FORGIVEN.” Doesn’t Jesus want everyone forgiven and saved???
First, we need to be careful that we don’t curtail our preaching and teaching or “veil it” to make it less clear and understandable. We are commanded to “… Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” Mark 16:15 “I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.” 2 Timothy 4:1-2.
But, today’s Scripture does support Reformed doctrine, “Unconditional Election”, the “U” of “TULIP” that God does unconditionally elect those whom He chooses to save. “For He says to Moses, “I WILL HAVE MERCY ON WHOM I HAVE MERCY, AND I WILL HAVE COMPASSION ON WHOM I HAVE COMPASSION.” So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy.” Romans 9:15-16.
Consistent with this doctrine is the teaching of regeneration or birth by the Spirit in John Chapter 3. “Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. “That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. “Do not be amazed that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ “The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” John 3:5-8. Just as the wind blows where it wishes, the Spirit of God regenerates or gives spiritual birth to those whom He wishes. Only those whom are regenerated or given spiritual birth by the Spirit of God will enter the kingdom of heaven.
Consider that even if one received “around the clock” (24/7) crystal-clear preaching and teaching by the best preachers and best teachers but was not regenerated or given spiritual birth by the Spirit of God, that person would still not understand, would still not seek God, and would still not be forgiven and saved. “10as it is written,
“THERE IS NONE RIGHTEOUS, NOT EVEN ONE;
THERE IS NONE WHO UNDERSTANDS,
THERE IS NONE WHO SEEKS FOR GOD;
ALL HAVE TURNED ASIDE, TOGETHER THEY HAVE BECOME USELESS;
THERE IS NONE WHO DOES GOOD,
THERE IS NOT EVEN ONE.” Romans 3:10-12
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 