Every now and then someone will say something to the effect that “I’m not a Christian because…” and they will give some reason or the other. Perhaps one such someone is you. If so, might your reason be one of the following?
There are hypocrites in the church
Of course, there are! Jesus said there would be—and that He would wait until judgment day to sort them out from sincere believers (Matt. 13:24-30). Besides, isn’t it interesting how hypocrites do not keep us from doing anything else we want to do? Allowing the presence of those who are not all they pretend to be is like refusing to go to the doctor because, in the waiting room, there may be people who pretend to be sick to get attention (hypochondriacs).
“I really need to, but I’ll wait until later”
I wonder if people who say this really understand what they are saying to God. “God, I’m going to continue practicing those sins that Jesus suffered for on the cross. And since I really love my way better than Your way, You can just wait until I get good and ready. Besides, just who do you think You are—demanding that I live my life at Your beck and call?” Do you believe God is at your beck and call and that you can come to Him at the time of your own choosing? The Bible says, “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold now is the day of salvation” (2 Cor. 6:2).
“I’m not so bad”
I wonder if your spouse and children would agree. The Bible says that one must be perfect to enter heaven (Rev. 21:8, 27); and that our best, that is “all our righteousness, are like filthy rags” (Is. 64:6). The Bible says also, “If we say that we have no sin we deceive ourselves and that truth is not in us” (1 John 1:8) and, “The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked; who can know it?” (Jer. 17:9).
“I’m too bad. I’m beyond hope”
Do not flatter yourself! Do you really believe that you are more powerful in your sin than the blood of Jesus is powerful to save? In a perverted way, you proudly imagine yourself stronger than God. However, the Bible says, “But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more” (Rom. 5:20).
“I would have to give up too much”
I can see their point. Selfishness, hangovers, painful child custody battles, guilt, etc. are all hard to give up. And to think you have to miss hell with all its suffering and regrets forever and ever. Well, what is the love, peace, and joy of God compared to all that? Jesus asked, “For what is a man profited if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?” (Matt. 16:26).
“My friends would make fun of me”
This reason is not usually put into words but it is a thought that enters the mind of a person confronted with the gospel. Just remember: your friends may laugh you into hell, but they cannot laugh you out. The Bible says that Moses was a man of faith, “Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin.. Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches…” (Heb. 11:25, 26). God promises, “. . .they shall not be ashamed who wait for me (Is. 49:23).
“I’ll have to work this out in my own way”
Again, another arrogant attitude, telling God that He must accept you on your own terms. It forgets that our “own way” is what got us into this fix in the first place. The Bible says, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death” (Prov. 14:12); and Jesus told us, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). Of course, these are not reasons, but excuses. I hope you are not trying to use one. If so, you are missing out on too much.
Dereck Gentle
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