2 Timothy 3:7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
Paul here is showing us the state in which some find themselves. They may search the scriptures, but not all have the ability to come to the knowledge of the truth.
2 Timothy 3:8 Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.
He describes these men as reprobate concerning the faith. Concerning the righteousness that came by the finished work of Christ they are reprobate. The word reprobate here carries the meaning of rejected. They were rejected by God. They were rejected and therefore the truth of the faith was kept from them.
John 6:29 Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.
Proverbs 25:2 It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter.
It is by the power of God that we believe and to the glory of God His truth is kept from some. That is the God we serve.
Romans 9:15 For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. 16 So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy. 17 For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth. 18 Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.
The sovereignty of God pervades the entirety of the scriptures. Once we grasp this idea it will change our thoughts of God. God is not a God who begs men to choose Him. He did not set in motion the death of His Son to make an opportunity for men to be justified. God in His Son justified His people. The trial for us is over, the victory is won. Nothing I can do can change what He has done.
John 17:2 As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him. 3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
Matthew 13:16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear. 17 For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.
To as many as the Father has given to the Son, they will know Him and the Son. This life is given to them and not to the world. This spiritual life is given in our new birth. Legally our condemnation was removed by the death of Jesus Christ. Legally we stand justified in His eyes at and by the cross. In life we are given eyes to see and ears to hear the word of God, the gospel of Jesus Christ by which we were saved. To know this salvation, to see our justification in the eyes of God as completed by God Himself, is to find our rest. It is to see our salvation by the shed blood of our savior. Look to nothing more for a right standing before God than that meritorious work of His Son. Take no glory from Him by adding works of the law, acceptance, prayer, or even faith.
Matthew 13:33 Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.
Leaven is used here as a small amount can change the entire makeup of the bread. The point of this parable is to not add even the smallest amount to the dough or else all is contaminated by its presence. Adding the smallest condition to salvation completely contaminates the grace of God turning it into a debt. Taking faith and making it into a condition does just that. I have heard it said the greatest counterfeit is that which most closely resembles the true item. Adding the smallest work/condition perverts the gospel and Jesus warns us of this as do the epistles. Salvation is ALL of the Lord.
Jonah 2:9 But I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay that that I have vowed. Salvation is of the LORD.