3 reasons why people don't get saved.

About 16-17 years ago I had a conversation with a church elder about why people don't come to repentance and faith in Christ.  "I don't understand it", he said, "why is it that people don't believe in the Gospel?"

My response was simple - "The sovereignty of God".

In this article I would like to expand on that statement by presenting 3 reasons why people do not believe; why they don't come to repentance and faith in Christ.

1.  They don't believe because that is their natural state.

In 1st Corinthians 2 v 14 we read the following:

"The natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God because they are foolishness to him; neither can he know them because they are spiritually discerned".

In, and of themselves, people will never come to repentance and faith in Christ.  They love their sins too much (see John 3 v 19) and they have no desire to turn away from them.  Unless God actually turns them to Himself, by opening their eyes and drawing them, then they will never believe.  In  John 6 v 65 Jesus said  "...no-one can come to me unless it has been granted to him by my Father".  Until people are given the desire to come to Christ then they will always revert to their natural state, which is unbelief; that is their default mode.


2.  They don't believe because they have been blinded by the devil.

In 2nd Corinthians 4 v 4 we read that the devil has "blinded the minds of them that believe not".  As the devil is stronger than people he is well able to overcome them.  Indeed, he has taken people captive at his will, to do his will (see 2nd Timothy 2 v 24-26).

These poor creatures are helpless, they are held in the devil's grip and, unless a stronger person than the devil overcomes them, they will continue in their blindness and captivity.   That stronger person is, of course, the Lord Jesus Christ.  Until He deigns to move upon people, opening their eyes and releasing them from Satan's grip, they have no chance of being set free.


3.  God has judicially given people over to their sin and its consequences.

This is the most controversial of the 3 reasons but it is, nonetheless, scriptural.  In Matthew 13 v 11-12 Jesus made it clear that His disciples were privileged to be given an understanding of "the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven" and that others were not.  Indeed, these 2 verses make it clear that when people were not given the understanding it was in line with God's sovereign will and purpose.  Consider, too, what Jesus said in Matthew 11, verses 25-27.  He clearly taught that certain truths were revealed to some and NOT to others because it was pleasing in His sight.  Moreoever, truth would only be revealed to those whom God has chosen to reveal such.

Furthermore, in Romans 9 v 15 and 18 we read that God shows mercy to whom He wishes "and whom He wishes He hardens".  (Incidentally, in chapter 1 of the same book, we read that the reason people engage in vile perversions is because God has given them over to such behaviour - see verses 18-32).

These are unpopular verses, even among Evangelical Christians.  Many people will seek to explain them away but they are crystal clear and should be accepted at face value.

What, then, are the implications of the truths outlined above?

Firstly, if we are saved, we give all the thanks and praise to God for opening our eyes to our need of Christ, and drawing us to Himself.

Secondly, we can have complete confidence that, as we evangelise, God is at work.  John 6 v 37 tells us that all people given to Jesus by the Father WILL come to Him.

Truly, we are on the winning side as God's will and purposes cannot be thwarted - Job 42 v 2.



 

Why did Warren Allan Smith live so long? (answer below)

Warren Allan Smith, a renowned atheist who once wrote a book entitled "Who's who in Hell", has, himself, passed into that dreadful place at the age of 96 (unless, of course, he came to his senses and repented before he died - see Luke 23 v 40-43).

I don't need to go into the details of his appalling lifestyle and the perversions he was involved in, nor will I seek to glorify his vileness; the Bible tells us that we shouldn't go into such details (Ephesians 5 v 12).  Suffice to say, that he now believes in the God whom he spent his life denying; indeed, just as God had a "little chat" with George Michael (see earlier post), so He will, by now, have had a similar encounter with Mr Smith.

People such as Smith and Michael seem to think they can go all their lives shaking their fists at God and, generally, seeing how far they can go in their  rebellion and perversion; but a day of reckoning will come to them.  The Bible teaches that we must all stand before the judgement seat of Christ, and that we must all give account of ourselves to God.  This is clearly taught in Romans 14 v 10 and 12.

The question at the head of this article is an intriguing one.  Michael died fairly young (53) but, as intimated earlier, Smith lived a long life.  Why is this?  Ultimately,  this is in line with God's sovereign will and purpose.  Daniel 5 v 23 tells us that our next breath is in God's hands.

Sometimes the "good" die young, and people known for wickedness live long lives ( another example being Michael Foot, the politician and atheist, who died at the same age as the main subject of this article).

However, the question remains - why is it that the wicked sometimes live such long lives and, at times, enjoy  good health while living?  I wonder if the answer is that God, in His mercy, is giving them opportunities to repent.  God is merciful; as the Bible says, "I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that they turn from their ways and live"  (Ezekiel 33 v 11).  He desires that they turn away from their atheism and perverted lifestyles; he yearns for them to repent, as Jesus did over Jerusalem (Matthew 23 v 37), that they come to their senses and turn to Christ.  Moreover, when such people do so turn, then they will find that Jesus is waiting for them with open arms.

Jesus said that He will NOT turn away anyone who comes to Him (John 6 v 37).  If Warren Allan Smith truly repented and accepted Christ as Lord and Saviour, then he is now rejoicing in the presence of the One who loved him and gave Himself for him.  However, if Smith was rebellious to the end then he is in bitter torments, and will be for all eternity.

"God is not mocked, whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap". - Galatians 6 v 7.

Sorry, Herbert, old son, we were there before you!

Herbert Spencer was a scientist who won awards for his work, particularly for his discovery that there are 5 scientific categories.

He stated that the scientific categories are as follows:

Time

Force

Action

Space

Matter.

This sounds very impressive until one bears in mind what is stated in the very first verse of the Bible viz.

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth".

In that simple sentence we have the 5 categories of science -

"In the beginning" - Time

"God" - Force (of course, God is more than a force, but you get my meaning).

"Created" - Action

"The heavens" - Space

"And the earth" - Matter.

As the title of this article states - "sorry, Herbert old son, we were there before you!"

All the so-called scientific discoveries are already there in the Bible, and we can have complete confidence in its truthfulness. 

All so-called scientific discoveries that contradict the Bible are not correct and based upon man's foolishness; as the Bible says: "Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools" - Romans 1 v 22

God's "little chat" with George Michael.

When employees fall foul of company regulations it is said that their boss has a "little chat" with them in order to put them right and ensure that their misdemeanours are dealt with.

I would like to be a "fly on the wall" when God has His "little chat" with George Michael who died on Christmas Day.  It seems appropriate that this man - who had a loathing for Christians who take the Bible seriously (as all TRUE Christians do) - should pass into eternity on the very day when we remember the birth of One who came to save sinners (and he would have saved Michael too, if he had repented).

It is said that he died of heart failure.  I don't know if this was brought on by drug abuse, or if he simply had a heart condition through no fault of his own, but either way, he must now face the consequences of living in open rebellion against the teachings of God's infallible word - the Bible.  Any readers who wish to know his views on God, the Bible and Christians can easily find out more by simply googling   "George Michael's views on God, religion and the Bible".  However, I should warn readers that quotes from this "person" may include vile swear words - that is the kind of man he was.

His lifestyle was that of a perverse individual who behaved as if he was shaking his fist at God and refused to come to repentance and faith in Christ as his Lord and Saviour.

Of course, there is always the chance that he may have turned to Christ as he was dying.  The Lord is merciful and, if one accepts Christ in the final moments, then there is eternity in Heaven to look forward to, such is the grace of God.

However, for most people they die as they live.  When considering the conversion of the dying thief, in Luke chapter 23, we should remember the old saying "One was saved that none should despair, but only one that none should presume".

During his life Michael made millions and was enormously wealthy but what good did that do him as he lay dying?  After all, didn't Jesus say "What shall it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his soul?"  - Mark 8 v 36.

Why we should love the Jews

It is disturbing to note that a wave of anti-Semitism is sweeping across Europe.  This manifests itself in the desecration of Jewish cemeteries (eg painting swastikas on gravestones)  and in the anti-Israel protests being regularly reported in the media.  Sad to say, even Christian ministers have shown anti-Semitism by making anti-Israel statements - shame on them.

The question is - why should we love the Jewish people? Surely they need to accept Christ as their Lord and Saviour, they are not automatically right with God by virtue of being Jews?  That is absolutely right, Jews are not right with God just because they are Jews, they need to be saved the same as anybody else.

However, it is clear from the Bible that they have a special place in God's heart.  We see this in Genesis 12 v 1-3 where a curse is pronounced on people who mistreat the Jews.  Moreover, the last 2 verses of Amos make it clear that Jewish people would return to Israel "never again to be uprooted".  This was fulfilled in 1948 and is still being fulfilled today due to Aliyah.

Moreover, there are 5 specific reasons we should love the Jews:

1.  Our Lord and Saviour is a Jew.  

Matthew 1 v 1 makes this clear, as also does Romans 1 v 3.  He is of the seed of David, the son of Abraham.

2.  The Jews gave us the Word of God.

The Bible you hold in your hand is a Jewish book written by Jews.  We are also told in Romans 3 v 1-2 that unto the Jews "were committed the oracles of God".

3. The first missionaries to Europe were Jews.

Acts 16 v 8-12 make it clear that Paul and his companions were taking the Gospel to Europe.  Humanly speaking, if it were not for the Jews we would not have heard the Gospel.

4. God will yet bless the world through the Jews.

In Romans 11 v 1-12 we are told that there will be a great turning to Christ among the Jews and this will lead to the world being enriched.

5. A promise of blessing is given to those who love Israel.

Psalm 122 v 6 makes it crystal clear that there is a special blessing for those who pray for the peace of Jerusalem and, of course, Jerusalem is the capital of the Jewish people.  (One hopes the new president will keep his promise to move the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem).

In conclusion it should be said that history has clearly shown that is has fared ill with those who have persecuted the Jews but God's blessing is on those who look after the Jews and support Israel.  God is not mocked, Genesis 12 v 1-3 still applies today.

What is the worst act of depravity a person can commit?

If we were to ask people what is the most vile act of wickedness a person can perpetrate they would probably think of acts of terrorism eg. ISIS, or they would point to the holocaust, or they would mention the depravity of those who do evil things to young children.

However, the most wicked act a person can do is none of these, bad though they are.  The most vile act is "simply" to reject the Light.  By the Light I mean, of course, the Lord Jesus Christ.  In John 8 v 12 He said: "I am the Light of the world.  The one who follows me shall not walk in darkness but will have the light of life".

Those of us who have made the decision to repent of our sins and accept Christ as Lord and Saviour are the most wise and sensible people living in this world today.  Conversely, those people (and they are the majority) who have not accepted Christ are living and walking in darkness because the Light of Christ has not shined in their lives.

In John 3 v 19 we read the following:  "This is the condemnation, that light has come into the world and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil".

Of course, the light referred to here is that of Christ Himself.   Most people refuse to accept Him because they know that, having done so, their lives must change.  There would have to be an evidence of a life lived for Christ rather than the folly of walking "in the paths of the ungodly" - (Psalm 1).  People who reject Christ may not be openly hostile.  Indeed, to be fair, most people are polite when they refuse Christ and will say that they have "respect" for Him and His teachings.. However, they will not come to Him in order to have eternal life (read John 5 v 40).

No doubt, many who read the above will consider me to be extreme.  Even people calling themselves Christians may think that my comments are not fair or reasonable.  However, I'm not interested in popularity but rather in being faithful to God's infallible word - the Bible.

As we progress through the Christian life we will increasingly find that political correctness demands we accept the ways of the world.  We will be under more and more temptation to accommodate the thinking of the world.  Let us pray to the Lord for grace to think, and act, in accordance with God's word and not to accommodate ourselves to political correctness in order to avoid being vilified for standing up for truth.

Jack Chick passes to his eternal reward.

I note from the chick books web site (www.chick.com) that our beloved brother, Jack Chick, is now with the Lord.

Over the past few decades his comic books containing clear Gospel messages have been the means whereby many, many precious souls from all over the world have been saved.  The most famous title (This Was Your Life) has been translated into numerous languages and, indeed, even as I write, I suspect that someone, somewhere, is reading a copy in his, or her, own language.

I have a personal reason to be grateful to this dear brother's ministry.  As a young Christian, saved in September, 1975 I came across the Chick books very early on in my Christian walk.  I found them to be so encouraging and they certainly helped me to appreciate just what Christ had done for me in saving my soul.

Moreover, the book, The Next Step, for growing Christians, gave me a huge boost in my Christian life and spurred me on to spend a great deal of time reading and studying the precious Word of God.

My love for evangelism and missions was fostered by reading Chick books and, indeed, one of my earliest memories of evangelism was going round the phone boxes of Sheerness (my home town) placing them on the shelves - of course, this was back in the 1970s before the advent of mobile phones.

Over the years, I have had the opportunity to pass out many copies of them (particularly This Was Your Life) in my ministry as a street evangelist.  Only yesterday, in Canterbury, I was able to pass out a French copy to a young lad from across the channel who was visiting the city for the day.

Eternity will reveal the good done to precious souls from the distribution of these small, seemingly nondescript comic books.

"Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel" - Mark 16 v 15