Heart of Stone

"How to soften a hardened heart, and How to tell when it is to late"

By providing the compassionate, loving words of Christ. I believe that only God knows when it is to late; although He does tell us that to some he will turn them over to a reborate mind.

 

You won't find much help among those of the calvinistic persuasion (not a dig against them just a statement of fact).

But you will find verses which seem to suggest this concept and is preached in some churches.

I remember from years ago a Baptist preacher at a church we attended who would warn the resisting hearers with this passage:

Proverbs 29:1 He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.​

Also he used pharoah as an example that after he hardened his heart on a number of occasions then God hardened his heart so that he couldn't believe even if he wanted to.​

Exodus 8:32 And Pharaoh hardened his heart at this time also, neither would he let the people go.​

Exodus 10:20 But the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart, so that he would not let the children of Israel go.​

The concept being presented that (humanly speaking) we can resist the Spirit until God no longer "strives" with us.​

It seems possible in the passage of time and from the Scripture for people to "harden" their "necks" or "hearts" until they simply can't be reached (again humanly speaking).​

But it seems more likely that some people just finally get tired of hearing what they just aren't going to believe anyway,​

Recorded in the Book of Acts, Paul had a couple of individuals who he spent some time with personally but to no avail (read the context):​

Acts 24:25 And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.​

Acts 26:28 Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.​

I suppose it could be said that this is the way that certain individuals work out their "reprobation".​

In any event, there is no way for us to know who is who, who will or who won't, so don't give up on anyone. Do your part and leave the results to God.​

For your friend:
Instead of the attitude that "it's too late", think "with God all things are possible".​

HankD