UPDATE: Unfortunately after rereading this post, I realized that the title sounded a little inappropriate. I couldn’t help but think that if I didn’t know the author (me), the title would come across as irreverent and mocking. I noticed that it sounded as if I was taking the topic of “rejecting Jesus” flippantly. I do not at all in the least. It is life & death! I apologize for flippantly naming a blog “My Top Three Reasons People Reject Jesus!” So I have changed the Title to something more appropriate and less likely to cause a misinterpretation of how I seriously feel about the reasons I lay forth below. Thank you.
Thursday (Nov17) I did something I have not done in weeks: I hit the streets to preach the Gospel. I felt so rusty and out of shape (spiritually speaking). My voice shook, as well as my knees because it was freezing cold with the wind. But I realized how easy it is to fall away from true service to God. How fast I can slip back into the ease and comfort of complacency. So I went out on Thursday with an agenda: to obey God by following His son and to praise Him no matter what.
I somewhat boldly lept from the comfort of my warm and calm car to the cutting cold of the wind. It was yet another day that I did not want to be out “witnessing”. So as I was battling my flesh, I was trusting the Lord to make my spirit victorious. As I was yielding to the spirit, I was trying to focus on prayer. If you are a believer, than you know how hard it is to stay focused during prayer to God. This day my distractions were more than just the cold wind and my own discomfort, Satan and his traps and snares were working harder. So I decided to boldly jump in rather quickly before I changed my mind and escaped into a Starbucks world of coffee and warmth.
The first guy I approached was Francisco. Thank God for Francisco! God sure rewards for obedience in so many ways. He gave me such an encouraging conversation. Francisco was convicted and challenged by God’s Word and requirements for salvation. He admitted his dire need for true repentance and knew he was not totally surrendered to Christ Jesus. He had many questions and when I said I could stay and talk with him all night, he replied “so could I, I need this and I’m learning so much here.” Wow! Amen for that! Praise God, especially for those who are seeking the truth! I gave him my phone number and he said he’d call. Francisco seems to be so close to repentance and full faith in Christ. I believe what holds him back is his struggle with LUST! That gets us all doesn’t it?
Next I talked to Juice. That’s right Juice. Troy and I talked with him and initially he seemed like he was just humoring us by staying to listen. But that turned into conviction and eventually what appeared to be extreme discomfort. But those legitimate reactions rarely win out to someone’s prearranged appointments and personal time. So Juice left after 5 minutes or so. I was going 90-to-nothing with scripture and promises of God’s Wrath, Justice and Grace. He shook our hands and left. Juice seemed distracted by his own life.
Finally I talked to a guy from Europe named Tyroon. We approached him in the Union watching T.V. How perfect! We can interupt abruptly one of the biggest idols in America with the truth of God’s Word! So I kindly interuppted and hit Tyroon quick with bold challenges from the Bible. At one point, I asked him if he cared about his soul and his salvation. To that he casually answered, while kicked back watching t.v., “yeah, I mean I am”. So I responded, “really? You seem to be having fun watching t.v.!” To which he turned in his chair, sat up straight, and looked at us intently then on. I shocked him to attention. And ladies and gentlemen that’s what this World and especially this wicked country needs. Tyroon admitted that his problem was his ego, priorities, and worrying about the money his mom was soon sending. Several times I challenged him of the uncertainty of death and the reality of Hell and God’s Awful yet Perfect Wrath. To which he expectingly responded, “yeah, I don’t want to go to Hell but it’s hard with different things in my life right now.” Blah! That’s so sad when people know what they should do and how they should live, but don’t! And what’s even sadder is when they admit that truth several times in conversation and STILL don’t do it! His problem was idolatry and laziness. Can you imagine laziness causing someone to spend an eternity in HELL? That’s heart wrenching!
So, I wanted to share “My Top Three Reasons People Reject Jesus” based on my witnessing encounters:
1. UNBELIEF
Obviously this is one of the most popular reasons. The Bible is clear that many will choose to reject Christ; especially those who claim they know him but clearly live for themselves. Atheists, Agnostics, and all other Religions and Belief systems are wrong and headed for Hell. I find that probably 40% of the people I talk to simply don’t believe the Bible, that Jesus Christ is God’s son, and that He is the Only way to Heaven. They have created their own idols whether by hand or mental image. They are willingly unwilling to change their mind and are close-minded beyond belief. They believe anything as long as it does not involve Jesus Christ or Christianity. Although their unbelief does not negate reality, it will cloud the truth from their hearts forever.
2. APATHY
More shocking and maddening than the first reason, this one runs rampant everywhere, especially college students. I would say that at least 50% of the people who don’t believe simply don’t care. Do you know how frustrating and sad that is? Christian, these people simply don’t care if they go to Hell! HELL!! The scariest thing is those that do believe and are apathetic anyway. Can you imagine believing the truth of the Bible and Jesus Christ, but not caring about it at all? I guess that’s almost comparable to “Christians” who don’t care about the Lost evidenced by their lack of evangelism efforts. They don’t care about God, Christ, Morals, Ethics, anything. I mean they care about nothing but themselves. Apathy is rooted in selfishness. To me the saddest reason to reject Christ and go to Hell is apathy. To be so uncaring and unconcerned about the afterlife and about God’s Punishment and Wrath is ashame. I don’t understand it nor do I accept it. I hate it! The conversations I struggle with the most are those with people who are extremely apathetic. They are so carefree and caught up in their own selfish world that they have no thought of anything. You certainly aren’t going to reach these people with the Grace of God and benefits of salvation. And especially not with God’s Judgment. They don’t understand the importance of fearing God and His coming Judgment. These are the conversations where all you can do is present the Gospel and Warn them, and then walk away in order to avoid giving in to the flesh.
3. DECEPTION
I believe this is the biggest tool of the Father of Lies. Deceiving the lost to believe they are saved, and then deceiving the saved to live like the lost. 90-95% of people I talk to claim to be a “christian”. And this is the Bible Belt folks. The toughest place to witness period is here in the Bible Belt because people know the story, have heard it all before, and claim to be a child of God already! Do you know how nearly impossible it is to simply preach the Gospel to a professing Christian? They are arrogant and prideful. And are blown away in offense that you would have the gall to even question their salvation or preach to them. Regardless of their method or means of salvation, they still believe that no matter how they live they are in that number and God is going to forgive them. But if you are truly saved by God, you know as well as I do what Jesus said in Matthew 7:13&14
Mat 7:13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide [is] the gate, and broad [is] the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
Mat 7:14 Because strait [is] the gate, and narrow [is] the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
There will be few who find the strait gate and the narrow way. It’s so sad to not only see sinners apathetic, but to see those who are deceived into thinking they are a child of God when in fact they are a child of Wrath. But I have to press on regardless. Thank God for Jesus Christ and the power of His Word. Because I know that He doesn’t rely on me or my wisdom to do anything. Just my obedience to Him. So those are “My Top Three Reasons People Reject Jesus”!
If you have some reasons to add, I’d love to hear your insight. Their unbelief will never be victorious over our unshakeable faith. Their apathy will never overpower our deep concern and love. And the deception they are under will never ever no never ever no never no never no never ever…be unpenetrable by the sword of truth! Preach the Gospel regardless!
November 21, 2006 at 3:42 am |
Please explain this verse to me. I thought you said it was wrong and unbiblical to ask Jesus in your heart.
6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
Gal 4:6 (KJV)
I agree with most of you blogs but I seem to sense that you believe you must repent to be saved. Isn’t repentance something that would only come after you believe in Christ and are saved or must I repent/work first to get saved? I like your passion but I would like some clarification on the process of salvation. So is repentance required for salvation or a result of salvation?
November 21, 2006 at 2:13 pm |
-Anonymous, (11/20 8:47am)
I’m sure I know who you are, and if I’m right, I understand it’s easier for us to communicate these questions and differences through blogs than in person. Please be patient with me as I am trying to learn what the Bible teaches and not what “man” tells me. I trust the Word not any man over it. When there is question on a subject, idea, or doctrine of the Bible compared to a traditional “cliche” or accepted teaching, I have to choose whichever one has the most Bible to back it up. Whichever one is supported by more scripture, that is the one I have to believe! I’m sure you understand.
As for the former part of your question on “asking JEsus into your heart”, I thought I made myself clear on my updated blog on Ask Jesus into Your Heart. Galatians 4:6 has no mention of having to ASK “the Spirit of his Son into your hearts”. It says God has “sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts”. I guess you could debate on why He sent his Spirit, whether we asked Him or He sent it because He drew us to His side. My point is this: salvation does not come from asking Jesus to enter in or live in our hearts, body, soul, left arm, or spleen. Salvation comes through faith in God by His grace and repentance of sins. Now, that faith and repentance comes by crying out to God, begging for His mercy, and allowing Him to change us from the inside out. And yes that comes in the form of a prayer. But not a recited prayer, formal structured prayer, or accepted method, but out of the “heart” sincerely! But God does that through our act of will to allow Him to save us. God saving us then follows that He will put the His Spirit inside of us, where it officially resides doesn’t matter. It’s in our body though, right? Of course. My problem is when people feel that salvation also includes asking God/Jesus/Holy Spirit to live in us, as if we don’t ask Him, then He won’t. I don’t believe that. I believe God is faithful and Just through His word and will send His spirit to dwell in us if we put our faith in Him, believe on His son, and repent of our sins striving to walk in Holiness. God doesn’t NEED us to Ask Him to send HIs spirit to Him. I don’t believe God is just up there waiting until we ask to send His spirit. I believe He is waiting for the wicked to repent and believe and believe and repent. Then He is faithful to send down His spirit to that person. Not on the fact that they asked, but on fact that they were drawn by His Spirit to His side through faith and repentance.
As for the latter part of your question on “faith and repentance”, if you’re the same person who asked basically the same thing on another blog, did you read my response in the comment section? If not, then maybe it will still answer your question:
(from comments on “A Call to Anguish: David Wilkerson” blog)
“Dear Anonymous (10/23)
Thank you for your question. I am encouraged and relieved at your obvious concern on this site’s position(my position) on salvation. I appreciate you fulfilling and obeying 1John 4:1-3 which says:
1Jo 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
1Jo 4:2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:
1Jo 4:3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that [spirit] of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
Anonymous, you can rest assure that I indeed proudly confess Jesus Christ as the One True Lord and God in the flesh, the second person of the Holy Trinity of God Almighty! He is the One and Only Way, Truth, and Life and indeed no man comes to the Father but by Him (John 14:6). At the same time, however, I am not a theologian by any means, nor a good writer, and often struggle to communicate my thoughts clearly and cohesively. Forgive me for that. But, one thing I am very clear on is SALVATION. I firmly believe that the most important Biblical Doctrine to be absolutely right on is SALVATION.
I believe that SALVATION is Faith and Repentance, in that order; FIRST Faith, THEN Repentance. An ungodly, wicked sinner must first believe that he is a sinner and realize his desperate state before he sees his need for a savior. After he sees his hopeless state, IF he believes in the One True God and that He sent His son in flesh to die for our sins, pay the penalty for them, and satisfy God’s Wrath and Justice, THEN he should see his need for and God’s command to Repent.
Rom 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
Act 17:30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:
Luk 13:3,5 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
If he believes he needs Jesus Christ to be made right with God and avoid His Wrath and Hell, he will repent (turn from, change mind about) of his sins and turn toward God striving to desire and please His Creator. The sinner must first believe before he repents. How/Why would a sinner turn from his wicked ways if he didn’t FIRST believe in 1) the one whom he is repenting toward and 2) the reason he should repent? What reason is there to first repent if there is no belief? You’re right, I believe placing Repentance before Faith adds to salvation presenting Repentance as a work needed to ‘earn salvation’ when it’s a gift of Grace and Mercy from God. Almost as if Repentance leads to faith. Or that in order to have faith, you must repent. I believe that Repentance is a result or fruit directly derived from Faith in Jesus Christ. In other words, our Faith in Christ Jesus is demonstrated by our Repentance and our fruit. They cannot be separated and never can there be one without the other. Repentance alone without faith is without meaning and pointless; and Faith alone without repentance is dead and false salvation. It seems to require Faith in Christ in order to Repent; not the opposite, in that it requires Repentance
Jhn 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.
Jhn 14:21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
If a man is saved, he should now Hate his sin and Love his Savior God. If he hates his sin, he should desire (through God’s Spirit now dwelling/living in him) to turn from those sins, leave the life of sin behind, and no longer desire to hold onto those sins over serving God. Not sinless perfection, but striving to live Holy unto God through Christ Jesus!
2Cr 5:17 Therefore if any man [be] in Christ, [he is] a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
I hope that clarifies what I believe the Bible requires to be saved. Many people debate over which comes first: repentance or faith. I think that most Calvinists believe that repentance is a gift from God and/or a work of God. I see in the Bible how Repentance is a command that glorifies God and a must to avoid perishing. I hope and pray that I am accurate to God’s Holy Word. Please, please, please check me to the word and research it yourself to see what it says. Don’t take mine or anyone else’s word for it, unless it lines up with the Bible!
Rom 3:4 God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.”
-And then here is the follow-up after this comment:
“Dear Anonymous, (11/17/06 1:11pm)
Since I wrote this comment, I have begin to wonder more about whether or not faith actually precedes repentance. I believe it precedes and follows repentance. And I also believe that repentance precedes and follows faith. They are hand in hand and go perfectly together. One requires strong belief and trust in things unseen and the other requires willingness to humbly submit and conform. They are inseparable. When I read verses like Mark 1:15 which says:
“And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.”
I wonder if Mark wrote that in a specific order or if he wrote them as interchangeably and equally important. I can’t help but believe he wrote “repent ye” first and “believe the gospel” in a very specific order for a solid reason. And if for that reason, then I can only deduct that must be because one must repent first, and then believe the gospel. The gospel is the good news of Christ. One must first change their mind about sin and be willing to turn from it before they’ll accept and believe the good news of Christ right? I apologize for sounding unclear. But I can only go off of verses that support this particular order. I want to dedicate more time and study to this question of order. Until then, read for yourself and I’ll keep you updated on my progress.
In the meantime, expect a blog soon about the topic. Thanks for the challenge!”
-I hope that helps answer the latter part of your question on “faith and repentance” and its order. Yes, I know it’s my responsibility to find out the truth on the matter. I’m still searching. IF you have arrived at it, then Praise God. But I am trying to search Scripture as to which one comes first and if it matters which one comes first.
My final answer is that they eternally follow each other. Faith in God and His Son, repentance of sins, faith, repentance, etc. Yes repentance is required for salvation, for you CANNOT be saved without repenting. And yes repentance is a constant result or fruit of salvation. Someone who is repenting is most likely someone who is saved.
Now, why don’t you enlighten me on what you think about “asking Jesus into your hearts” and faith and repentance and their true order.
November 21, 2006 at 2:45 pm |
I will have a response to you in the next day or so.
November 21, 2006 at 4:33 pm |
Okay Anonymous. No problem. I hope you understand my tone in the responses. I am only trying to line up the best I can with God’s Word. I know I’m wrong in many areas, and need to repent of others and conform less to the world. Please help me to see what you have seen on these two very important topics regarding salvation. If we agree, than praise God. IF we cannot agree, than praise God too and we’ll go our separate ways.
November 21, 2006 at 8:27 pm |
I am thankful for you blog and passion but I think you are doctrinally wrong in your use of repentance. My response is below. Most of the information is not my own but is Curtis Hutson’s former President of Sword of the Lord. I do not want to take credit for that which is not mine. All verses used in the response are KJV. I had to hand type his paper as I only had a hard copy so please excuse any typing mistakes. I have changed a few things them a little more relevant to our discussion. Some of the language he uses at the end is strong and his comments not mine but I could not remove it without taking away from his article.
Also I agree there are far too many false converts but the solution is not that people have to repent before they get saved; it is that they must really believe with their heart not just in their head! That belief will bring a changed life but it is not part of their salvation but their sanctification.
Dr. Hutson’s article below:
First, no one is saved by turning; he is saved by trusting. You are teaching works and reformation for salvation. To say that the word “repent” means to turn from sin is to make God Himself a sinner. The word “repent” in its various forms is found 46 times in the Old Testament. Of that number, God Himself does the repenting 28 times and man, only 9 times. The other 9 times tells of things of which God will not repent. If “repent” means to turn from sin, then you have God turning from sin 28 times in the Old Testament and man turning from sin only 9 times.
We have no right to attach our own definition to the word. “Repentance” in its various forms is found 65 times in the New Testament. Fifty-eight of those times it is translated from the Greek words metanioa and metanoeo. According to the Greek of New Testament Words, metanioa is the noun of metanoe, and both words mean identically the
same thing. The basic definition of the two words is “to change one’s mind.” That is the definition from a Greek dictionary, not my definition. The definition from the Strong’s Concordance of metanoeo is “to think differently or afterwards, that is, reconsider.”
Traditions die hard. Just because you have taught all your life that repentance is turning from sin does not meant that it is true. Anyone who teaches that repentance is turning from sin is teaching reformation for salvation and not salvation by grace through faith: that includes you or anyone else who attaches to the word “repentance” the wrong definition and preaches repentance as reformation or turning from sins.
I hope this is a fair statement but from what I see on your site we are to call people to turn from sin and to Jesus. Let me ask you honestly and fairly, have you turned from sin? If your answer is yes, then I have another question: Have you sinned since you have been saved? Now if you have, then you haven’t turned from your sin. You have only turned from the sins that you have not committed since you have been saved. Since nobody lives perfect, then exactly how many sins must one turn from in order to be saved? And where in the Bible do you find Scripture to support such a confusing teaching?
First John 1:10 says, “If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.” And I must remind you that 1 John is written to believers. The “we” has reference to Christians, not unbelievers.
Now, if you have not turned from your sins, why in the name of common sense do
you tell sinners that they must turn from their sins in order to be saved? It is unscriptural and wrong. Ephesians 2:8 and 9 plainly says, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. “
I might be wrong but it seems that you say repent and believe are two different things. If that be true, then Jesus did not tell Nicodemus how to be born again; He only told him to believe. Nowhere in John, chapter 3, did He mention the word “repent” or “repentance.” As a matter of fact, those words are not even found in the Gospel of John. Yet the word “believe” is found in that Gospel more than 90 times!
When Nicodemus wanted to know how to be born again, what did Jesus tell him? “As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in hi should not perish, but have eternal life: (vss. 14, 15).
In verse 16 He said, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
In verse 18, He divided the whole world into two groups and said, “He that believeth
on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he
hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”
Now my dear brother, how can you read these verses and say that repentance is not
included in believing? If repentance is necessary to salvation-and it is-either Jesus did
not tell Nicodemus how to be born again, since He didn’t use the word “repent,” or He
did tell him how to be born again, and the word “repentance” is included in the word
“believe,” which Jesus did use.
Are you saying that Jesus deliberately deceived Nicodemus because He didn’t ask
him to repent? Surely you wouldn’t think such a thing, yet that is the conclusion you
have you have reached.
We often hear the expression, “Repent of your sins,” and I don’t see anything wrong
with using that expression. But nowhere does the Bible say, Repent of your sins.” When
the Bible uses the word “repent”, what the repentance is about is always
determined by the context.
In Matthew 3:7-9, some religious men believed they were going to Heaven because
Abraham was their father, the father of the Jewish race. God chose the Jewish race and established their religion, and these men believed that because they were members of the right religion they would go to Heaven. John the Baptist told them that they must repent of their false ideas about how to go to Heaven, that is, that one goes to Heaven simply because he is a member of a certain race or religion.
Luke 13:3 is often used when preaching on repentance: “…except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” But exactly what were they to repent about? They supposed that certain Galileans were sinners above all the Galileans because they suffered such a terrible fate. Pilate had mingled their blood with sacrifices. They also supposed that eighteen people upon whom the tower in Siloam fell were sinners above all men because they suffered such severe judgment. And Jesus answered in verse 5, “I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.”
Now here is the situation. These religious people thought that certain others were being punished because they were greater sinners than anyone else. By this same reasoning, they thought that they could escape punishment and judgment by their own righteousness to save them, they would perish in Hell.
Men do not go to Hell because they live wickedly; neither do men go to Heaven because they live right. Jesus told these religious men who were wrong in their teaching that unless they repented they would perish just like those whom they thought were great sinners.
Acts 17:30 says, “And the times of this ignorance God winked at: but now commandeth all men everywhere to repent.” What the people in this verse were to repent of or change their mind about is clear from verse 29: “We ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man’s device.”
Act 17:30 calls on men to repent or change their mind about God and see that He is
not a graven image made of gold, silver or stone; but that He is a living God who is going to judge the world. Verse 31 says, “Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead. “
Hebrews 9:9-14 calls sacraments or religious rituals through which men try to gain Heaven “dead works.” In Hebrews 6:1, this same writer tells us that the foundation of the Christian faith is “repentance from dead works, and faith toward God.”
These Scriptures make it plain that one must stop trusting in dead works (religious rituals, sacraments, etc.) and put his faith or trust in God. “Repentance from dead works” means to change one’s mind about dead works and see that he cannot be saved by works and thus trust Christ alone for salvation.
Summing up these various instances from the Bible, it is clear to see that, if a man believes his religion or race will get him to Heaven, he must repent (Matt. 3:7-9).
If he believes that living good or righteous will get him to Heaven, he must repent (Matt. 3:7-9)
If he believes that the Godhead is like unto gold or silver or stone, graven by art and man’s devices, he must repent (Acts 17:30)
And if he believes that man must perform some religious ritual or sacrament to be saved, then he must repent of these dead works and trust only in Christ for salvation (Heb. 6:1).
It is our studied opinion that that the greatest need for repentance among religious people today is the need to repent about wrong teaching on repentance, or else he will lead men into Hell by leading them to trust in their own reformation for salvation.
It is repent or perish, but be sure you repent about the right thing. A man is not saved by reforming his life or by turning from certain sins. A man is saved by trusting Jesus Christ and Him alone for salvation. The Bible plainly says in John 3:26, “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. “ Faith in Christ and Him alone is the clear Bible teaching regarding the matter of salvation.
God bless you,
This will be an interesting dialogue; hopefully the above comments give us some where to start.
November 22, 2006 at 12:34 pm |
Here is something to think about on this topic. Can one reform oneself outside of having the Holy Spirit? First I think the true question here is at what point does the changed mind and life comes into play? Does one turn from all sin before believing? I think that is what comes across when you tell someone to repent of their sins and accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. How much change takes place during Regeneration and how much during Sanctification is the question. I think Dr. Hutson’s points on believing and no mention of repentance in the Gospel of John has some good points. I think the changed mind is part of the belief but that does not mean they are going to stop all the ungodly behavior in order to get saved that will come as a result of their salvation. I completely understand the issue of false converts and why you use the word repent but could you be giving a false since of how to get saved by making them think that they have to clean up their life before they can be saved. I believe they will clean and change their life once they are saved but not before they are saved. If you have any good scholarly articles on soteriology, which is exactly what we are talking about now please post them.
November 29, 2006 at 5:24 am |
Annonymous,
I have heard of some of this ‘repentance not necessary’ teaching. I wonder why people like this Dr. Hutson seem so adament about it. Is it because they don’t want to give up secret sins? What does it hurt (even if wrong – which it’s not) to tell people they must turn (ongoing process) from sin because it mistreats a Holy God who hates it? Actually it seems that God benefits most from this ‘false teaching.’ It seems he will get ‘converts’ that are actually seeking out sin in their lives with the intent on destroying it. Yeah, He must hate that.
Also, Dr. Hutson’s interpretations of the verses are incorrect. In context every one of them is talking about repenting of sin (not false beleifs).
(Matt. 3:7-9)- John the Baptist is clearly saying this. “Oh, you are here. Who told you to flee from God’s wrath. Look you need to bear fruit of repentance before I baptize you. And don’t think you are “saved” because you are descendants of Abraham. God came make some of those from rocks if He wants.” He wasn’t telling them to repent of a false idea. He was telling them to repent — of sin, like in every part of the Old and New Testaments.
“If he believes that the Godhead is like unto gold or silver or stone, graven by art and man’s devices, he must repent” (Acts 17:30) — Yeah, idolatry is a sin that needs to be repented of!!
(Heb. 6:1) – Dead works could be works that we do in our sin (before being born again) or works that people think will save them. Both are sin. That is why they must be repented of.
(Luke 13:3) – Jesus is obviously making a general statement about their repentance that has nothing to do with their specific false ideas. They said, “yeah but aren’t those folks extra bad if that happened to them.” Jesus says, “Forget them, unless YOU repent, you WILL PERISH.” He saying stop comparing yourself to others based upon circumstances (“GOd sends the rain on the just and unjust”). They aren’t worse people because something bad happened. God allows horrible things to happen to righteous people (JOB). He was just trying to lead them to repentance.
REPENTANCE IS… absolutely not the same as belief. Unless Jesus meant to say “The time is fulfilled, the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand, therefore, believe and believe the gospel.” Repentance is the FRUIT of regeneration (being born again) that He talks of in John. The concept of repentance is in the Gospel and Epistles of John in the concept of abiding in Him (more to come on this). Unless you repent, you will perish. WHy? Because you haven’t been born again. To take John and toss out the clear teaching of the other 3 gospels is unwise, to say the least.
Finally, why would Jesus teach that we should repent in order to be saved (or avoid Judgment or be ready for the coming of the Kingdom – both allusions to salvation) if it isn’t necessary? Why would the apostles do the same? WHy would God come to earth as man tell His followers to preach repentance in His name if it weren’t necessary? It is part of the Great Commission for crying out loud (luke 24:47).
I know what you are thinking? You will say He meant to preach repentance of false teachings and ideas. But this is such a mediocre understanding of what Scripture teaches on repentance. And how does repenting of false ideas lead to forgiveness of sin and salvation (Luke 24:47, 2 Cor. 7:10)
Instead of listening to a ’scholar’, why don’t you personally do a systematic study of repentance in Scripture yourself and without preconceived notions decide what the Holy Spirit is teaching you. And don’t just look for the word repentance, look for the concept as well. It is in the Old Testament a lot more than what that guy says. The book of Psalms, and the prophets are riddled with it.
– Josh
December 17, 2006 at 4:25 am |
The number one reason people reject Jesus:
John 5: 37-41
37 And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape. 38 And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not. 39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. 40 And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life. 41 I receive not honour from men.
June 6, 2007 at 2:28 am |
i truly think another reason why many reject jesus christ is:
a) they heard the wrong truths and don’t think they can be forgiven
b) they believe there is no way jesus could forgive them
in both it is sad to say that many would hear a few words and turn away that is why when we are sharing the gospel we have to get strait to the facts before they lose intrest. or before they get discouraged. i believe stongly in repentence and faith and try to get this across first in any conversation. once you feel gods tug you will see how much your sin separates you from christ and you will have such a desire to repent through faith. and he is just to forgive you because jesus christ was our propitiation for all our sins when we crucified him i say when we because we put him on the cross because of our sins he was bruised for our iniquity. he bore all of gods wrath on the tree which we all deserve we are saved by grace. we were chosen by god the ones that are truly his to share his word.
but thats all i want to say
-suzanne
*read your bible daily and obey what you read*
August 12, 2007 at 11:45 am |
1. Unbelief.
Surely this is both being simply honest and sincere. If you don’t find the evidence convincing you do not believe period. I find this particular passage quite silly given that it expressly presumes the existence/divinity of Jesus without presenting a single reason for such and yet proceeds to proudly announce how 40% of the world is going to hell. Pascal’s wager has been debunked for over 200 years and yet it still forms the core of many theistic arguments.
They are willingly unwilling to change their mind and are close-minded beyond belief. They believe anything as long as it does not involve Jesus Christ or Christianity.
How exactly is rejecting an idea devoid of reasonable evidence being close-minded? The “They believe anything” is particularly arrogant when the sceptical position is to not believe anything without reasonable evidence. I, as an atheist, do not reject christ for another idol. I am simply reject christ because I weighed up the evidence available to me and found no reason to believe. To paraphrase a relevant quote, when you understand why you reject other gods you will then understand why I reject yours.
Although their unbelief does not negate reality, it will cloud the truth from their hearts forever. My response is as follows : Your belief in god does not negate reality, it will cloud the truth from your heart forever.
2.Apathy
“ I would say that at least 50% of the people who don’t believe simply don’t care. ” I would say that you are wrong. I would go as far to say that in my experience it has been the case that the average atheist is far more knowledgeable about christianity than the average christian.
“ They don’t care about God, Christ, Morals, Ethics, anything. ” How exactly is not caring about god/christ equivalent to not caring about morals/ethics?? The point that you seem to be arguing is that an atheist cannot be moral – something I find more than a little ironic given the disgraceful ethical acts condoned in the bible. I think Weinberg said it best with “ Good people will do good things, and bad people will do bad things. But for good people to do bad things — that takes religion. ”
3.Deception
“ Their unbelief will never be victorious over our unshakeable faith. ” Right here you manage to sum up elegantly why I think religion is a bad thing in and of itself. You are not receptive to logic or evidence and will always have a blind belief in something that clearly dictates how you live you life. That someone would behave a certain regardless of any evidence, any logic or any rationale argument is absolutely frightening. I am an atheist and should anyone present me with reasonable evidence for something then I will have to consider it. I am open to evidence and nothing I believe can be described as “unshakeable”. This is more of a virtue than blind faith because any truth that cannot be questioned cannot be truth.
Final words
There is one thing that I have noticed about people – they are never static. People are either improving their morality and behaviour or they are in decline. Dogmatism doesn’t lead to salvation, only dogmatism.
As long as there are religious zealots preaching their holy texts may there also be free thinkers subjecting those texts to the scrutiny of logic.
May 20, 2008 at 9:07 am |
“They have created their own idols whether by hand or mental image. They are willingly unwilling to change their mind and are close-minded beyond belief. They believe anything as long as it does not involve Jesus Christ or Christianity. Although their unbelief does not negate reality, it will cloud the truth from their hearts forever.”
Harsh.
I have good reasons and good arguments, or at least I think so. I have opened my mind to all religions. I do not disbelieve it is more of the fact that there are so many religions I haven’t chosen yet. To me the close minded one is the one who believes that his religion is right and that all other people are silly for not believing or not caring.
January 17, 2009 at 7:47 pm |
Just a response on the thought that we must ASK Jesus into our life. What if a person had no ability to speak? Would that mean he/she could not be saved? As a pastor, I have often used this statement when presenting the gospel. I think that, like too many things concerning the word, we get hung up on technicalities. First off, God knows whether you WANT him in your life or not. He knows whether you are accepting or rejecting him and it is not entirely based on our words. You can SAY you accept him when really you reject him. For that matter you can even force someone to SAY those words. But the Lord looks on our hearts and knows whether we accept Christ death for our sins or reject it. The point is, ‘asking’ Christ into our hearts is really a way of simply saying YES to Him.
Repentance – and the question is not really whether it comes before or after – goes hand in hand with acceptance. Repentance is about a change in direction. A turning point. Accepting Christ IS a turning point. Repentance IS the turning point. Believing IS the turning point. You either BELIEVE and want Jesus or you don’t. Romans 10 beginning with verse 8 says this. “But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; 9. That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. 12. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. 13. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
14. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?”
These verses show us we have to RESPOND – first we believe, say YES inwardly – then we confess/profess our faith. I don’t think this means if we cannot talk, we can’t be saved. It would make no sense to believe and put our faith in something as life changing as Christ and not profess that would it? In other words, if we had no desire to communicate that but yet had the ability to do so, do we really believe it? Has Christ REALLY come INTO our life?
I hope and trust that in some way I have helped in this discussion. I don’t have all the answers and perhaps less knowledge than many who will read this. With all our candles giving light, maybe we can all better see and understand.
March 16, 2009 at 1:32 pm |
Red Duke,
Yes I agree. Asking Christ into our life is a way of agreeing with Him that we are sinful, that He is perfect, and that He will save us if we trust in Him. Yes you are right.
Yes again, you are right about repentance. Technicalities don’t matter. But we must repent and trust in Christ. I agree with you sir.
However, all I am saying is that God grants us the ability to repent. He gives what He commands. He grants what He requires from us. It’s best understood in Jesus Christ. God demands holiness and perfection, right? So He sends Himself, Jesus Christ, to an unholy imperfect people so that they can become perfect and holy. We become that at the moment Jesus Christ dies on the cross and we later believe. Then the Holy Spirit sanctifies and perfects us until we meet Jesus face to face and become glorified.
So we respond to the Gospel, yes. But only because God’s spirit drew us to Himself. Read John 6 & 10.
thanks for stopping by.