Why Aren't More People Christian?

SO, WHAT HAVE BEEN YOUR REASONS FOR NOT ACCEPTING JESUS

AS YOUR LORD AND SAVIOR?

A major part of our commission as Christ-followers is that we are to share our faith with every creature, every household on earth, testifying to what the Lord has done in and through us. To everyone, everywhere, under every circumstance-- using words when necessary.

Following are some of the most common reasons people have given. Are one or more of them reasons you are telling yourself? If so, pick up a Bible and look up the references given for each one.

“I AM A GOOD PERSON.”

Good by whose standards-- men or God? Christians with the Bible, Jews with the Tanach and Moslems with the Qur’an plus the Hadith know it is impossible for a human to keep all the requirements given in the laws for access to Heaven/Paradise. The simple fact is that there is no way your life can measure up to the perfect standards of a perfect God. And if you miss the mark in one commandment, then according to God you are guilty of violating all of them. Remember the Ten Commandments.

“WHY WOULD A PERFECTLY LOVING FATHER SEND A MAN TO HELL?”

God does not send anyone to hell. From the time you were old enough to understand the difference between right and wrong, you were already on the way of all men to an eternity in the Lake of Fire. The Lord does not want anyone to go there, but being the perfect gentleman He will allow you if that is your choice. Choosing nothing is in and of itself a choice. Hell and the Lake of Fire were prepared as a place of punishment for the devil and all demons. The lifeboat is already beside you in the water. Jesus is standing on that boat holding out His hand to rescue you. It is your choice whether you reach up and take His hand or brush it aside and go under to your doom.

"I AM NOT GOOD ENOUGH"

You are right, if you are counting on making it to Heaven under your own steam. Some people feel they are not good enough to come to the LORD and they want to wait to make themselves better. Guess what? You never will be good enough on your own merits. No one will. God requires faith, not moral fitness. Jesus came into the world to save sinners, not the righteous (Matthew 9:12-13; Luke 18:19).

Outward reform is notenough if the heart stays unchanged (reference the following verses: Isaiah 1:18-19; Acts 2:38; I Timothy 1:15; I John 1:7; John 6:37; Revelation 22:17; Romans 5:8,16,20).

"THE CHRISTIAN LIFE IS TOO HARD"

The "way of the transgressor is hard" (Proverbs 13:15). Jesus teaches that His yoke is easy and His burden light (Matthew 11:28). The pleasures of sin are only for a short time, but real and lasting joy comes through salvation (I Peter 1:5 and Jude 24).Everything that God calls upon His children to do, He provides the means and ability to carry it out.

"I CANNOT GIVE UP MY EVIL WAYS"

Romans 7 agrees with you on this statement. Is your problem that you "can not" or "will not?” When you become a believer, you can do all things through the power of Holy Spirit (Philippians 4:13). Sin is slavery, and the only way you can escape is through the blood of Jesus (John 8:34; Romans 7-8). As a believer in Jesus, you submit your life to God. Then you can resist the devil and his temptations and he will flee from you. From then on, each time he tries to get to you with the old desires you have Holy Spirit within you giving you the strength to send him packing.

"MY HEART IS TOO HARD"

If it were possible for it to be changed, would you want that? (Study Ezekiel 36:26-27 and John 6:37) Your heart is not too hard if there is still enough softness to recognize your need.

"I WILL HAVE LOTS OF COMPANY IN HELL"

This is true, but what kind of company will it be? (Read Revelation 22:15) Companionship of friends or relatives will not lessen the distress described in Revelation 20:10. In the darkness of the lake of fire, you will not be socializing. Far from it, your own agony will be intensified by hearing millions of others screaming in their own anguish and pain. Trust me, they won't care a bit about your company or your suffering. You will be standing alone even though surrounded. And you will be alone with all your memories intact.

"I DO NOT BELIEVE THE BIBLE" or "I DO NOT UNDERSTAND THE BIBLE"

No one understands everything completely, but the response God requires to His call to salvation is very easy to understand. There are some things that cannot be understood until you become a believer (see I Corinthians 2:14; John 3:16; Acts 16:31; 2:38; 3:19; Romans 10:9-10; Acts 22:16; and 6:1-4; John 7:17; I John 5:9-12; Mark 16:16; II Timothy 3:16-17).

In the final analysis Truth cares not one whit what you choose to believe or not believe: the Truth simply is. I can want 2 + 2 to = 73. I can really, really want it to be so. I can gather signatures on a petition to make 2 + 2 +73. I can even influence legislators to pass a law or a corrupt judge to declare from the bench that 2 + 2 = 73. Will that make it so? Sorry, my friend, no dice. God used many men, inspired and guided by Holy Spirit to write the 66 books that support each other in all points.

"THERE ARE MANY CONTRADICTIONS IN THE BIBLE"

Sometimes people have just heard others use this explanation and are only repeating what they have heard. Sadly there are some educated intellectuals whose primary degree was in ignorance. Show me one of the contradictions. None has yet done this successfully. If they show me what they think is a contradiction, I will be able to explain it. If I do not know the answer, I assure you that I will find out!

"I AM DOING THE BEST I CAN" or "I AM GOOD ENOUGH ALREADY"

This may be true in terms of moral standards and good deeds, but we are not saved on the basis of these (references: Isaiah 64:6; Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5; I John 1:7; Acts 17:30; 22:16; Philippians 3:4-7; Romans 2:1; 14:13).

"OTHERS ARE STANDING IN MY WAY"

You may fear that a relative or friend would object or laugh at you if you become a believer (read the warnings in Luke 9:26; Romans 14:12; and Acts 5:29.) Persecution is to be expected (II Timothy 2:12; 3:12; II Corinthians 4:16,18).

You may also claim you want to wait for someone else, such as your husband or wife (See Matthew 10:37.) You may fear losing your sinful friends if you become a Christian (Please read James 4:4, Psalms 1:1-2, and Proverbs 18:24). Yet consider this: if they turn their backs on you for becoming a believer, were they really your friends to begin with? You may well be the one God uses to lead them to Christ.

"THERE ARE HYPOCRITES IN THE CHURCH"

I agree with you. Jesus said this would be so (Matthew 13:25,47). But this does not affect the claims of Christ on your own soul. No hypocrites will be in Heaven (Revelation 21:8). Perhaps you have been hurt by other believers. I Corinthians 2:5 says our faith rests in God rather than man. You will answer for yourself at the time of judgment, not others. (Read Romans 2:1-5 and Revelation 20:12.) Besides, you have hypocrites where you work. Does that mean you quit working to get away from them?You will find hypocrites in stores. Will you stop shopping? There are hypocrites at ball games. Will you avoid the stadium on that account? Of course not. You will find hypocrites wherever you go, but you do not throw out the baby with the wash-water.

"I CANNOT DECIDE WHICH DENOMINATION TO JOIN" or "I AM OF ANOTHER FAITH"

The Bible does not command us to join a denomination, but to become part of the one true Church through the born-again experience. Denominations can mess you up (and ‘religions’ certainly will), but a daily walking relationship with Jesus can only do you good. I will never invite anyone to join a denomination, but rather to obey Jesus and become part of the Body of Christ (Acts 2:47). Salvation is only in Jesus, not in church membership (Acts 4:12). He said, “I AM the Way, the Truth and the Life; no one comes unto the Father but by Me.”

"IT IS TOO LATE FOR ME"

Are you still breathing? This excuse may be offered because you consider yourself to be a great sinner or someone who has lived your whole life in sin and are now quite old. God does not want anyone to be lost (II Peter 3:9). Even the thief on the cross was saved in the final moments of his life (Luke 23:43). The apostle Paul considered himself to have been the worst of all sinners before his encounter with the risen Lord.

"I WOULD RATHER NOT ACCEPT CHRIST NOW"

You have no guarantee you will draw your next breath. Heart attacks, fatal diseases and fatal accidents come to people of all ages and without much warning. You may be involved in an accident ten minutes from now that will snuff you out like a blownmatch. The death rate on earth is 1:1. If the Lord delays His return for the Church just a little longer, you are guaranteed at some point to die. With two people on earth leaving every second, you have no assurance of drawing your next breath. Then what? (Read the following verses: Isaiah 55:6; Matthew 24:44; Acts 17:30; 22:16; II Corinthians 6:2; Joshua 24:15; I Kings 18:21; Hebrews 2:3; James 4:13-14).

"MY PROBLEMS ARE TOO DIFFICULT"

God is the answer to difficult problems (Read II Corinthians 12:9-10; Matthew 19:26; Philippians 4:13). Nothing is impossible with God. The Creator of everything that is in the universe has no challenges that are beyond Him, and as a born-again son or daughter of God you have ready access to all of His power.

"I HAVE BEEN SEEKING GOD, BUT CANNOT FIND HIM"

Some people claim they have been seeking an experience with the LORD but have been unable to find it (read the following verses: Jeremiah 29:13; Luke 19:10; John 1:12). Are you really looking for God, or for a booming voice or astounding miracle? Not everyone meets a burning bush as Moses did, or a talking donkey as Baalam did. Holy Spirit speaks with a still, quiet voice.

"GOD IS TOO GOOD TO PUNISH ME"

It is precisely because God is good and perfect that He cannot allow sin to go unpunished. Your only choice is whether to accept the punishment Jesus endured for you, or go your merry way and face it for yourself. (Read Romans 2:4-5; II Peter 3:9-11; John 5:40; Ezekiel 33:11.)

"I CANNOT FORGIVE _________"

People often use the excuse that they cannot forgive someone who has done them wrong, so they cannot be saved themselves. It is true that this may be impossible with the unregenerate mind, but as a Christian, God can help you do this (read Mark 11:25 and James 4:6). Forgiveness is a choice. Keep in mind as well: the one who is held prisoner by unforgiveness is the one who refuses to forgive. The ‘bad guy’ quite likely has gone on his merry way, oblivious to your smoldering resentment.

"IT IS NOT POSSIBLE BECAUSE OF MY BUSINESS"

You may think becoming a believer means you have to give up your job and go full-time in the ministry. This is not so. If your profession does not conform to Christian principles, then it will be necessary to give it up. It is better to do that than lose your soul (read Mark 8:36). Anything you give up for Jesus’ sake will be repaid to you in spades during this life and in the next.

"I TRIED ONCE AND FAILED" or "I AM AFRAID I WILL FAIL"

Let me compliment you for your sincerity in being concerned about failure, but God has promised power to help you overcome sin. (Read Romans 8:37; I Corinthians 10:13; I Peter 1:5; II Timothy 1:12; and Hebrews 13:5.)

Consider the reasons why you may have failed. Did you ‘try’ instead of trust in God?Jedi master Yoda in the movie “Star Wars” said it well: “Do. Or do not. There is no try.” Did you cover your sins instead of confessing them? Did you go the way of the world instead of via Word of God? Did you read the Bible, pray, and attend church regularly? You have hope and I encourage you to get serious about it this time. The mercies of God are renewed each day and never fail (Lamentations 3:21-24) (Read also II Corinthians 9:8; 12:9; I John 1:9; Jude 24; II Timothy 1:12; I Peter 1:5).

It is trusting, not trying, that brings salvation. I can look at a chair and believe that it will support me. But it is not until I sit down in it that I find out the truth (read John 1:12; and Romans 4:3-5). As another analogy I can offer you $100. I can pull the bill out of my pocket and hold it out to you. I can tell you it is yours. Yet it is not until you reach out and take it for yourself that you actually have possession.

"I DO NOT HAVE ASSURANCE"

Sometimes when a person has been lead to the LORD he does not have the assurance of salvation. To refuse to believe God's Word is sin (Romans 14:23). Read the following verses about assurance of salvation: John 1:12; 3:16,18,36; 5:24; Acts 10:43; 13:39; Ephesians 1:17-20; 2:8; Jude 24, II Timothy 1:12; I Peter 1:5,18-19; I John 1:7; 5:13; Hebrews 9:22-10:22; II Corinthians 5:17; Romans 5:1,9; 3:25; 8:16. One thing you may count on from the devil is an attempt to make you doubt what you’ve just received. Rest assured: God’s promises are true and to be trusted. He values His Word above even His own Name.

“THERE ARE MANY TRANSLATION ERRORS IN THE BIBLE”

No other book in the history of mankind has come down to modern man with the degree of accuracy to the original of the Bible. The Hebrew scribe took this task very seriously. The scribe took precise steps in preparing the parchment upon which they wrote AND in preparing themselves in order to copy God's HOLY Word.

According to Hebrew Talmud , the rules of the scribe consisted of the following:

1. The skins of the parchment had to be prepared in a special way and dedicated to God so that they would be clean in order to have God's words written on them.

2. The ink which was used was black and was made in accordance to a special recipe used ONLY for writing scripture.

3. The words written could NOT be duplicated by memory but must be reproduced from an authentic copy which the scribe had before him. Additionally, the scribe had to say EACH WORD aloud when he wrote them.

4. Each time the scribe came across the Hebrew word for God, he had to wipe his pen clean. When he came across the NAME of God, Jehovah (YHWH), he had to wash his whole body before he could write it.

5. If a sheet of parchment had one single mistake on it, the entire sheet was condemned. If there were three mistakes found on any page, the WHOLE MANUSCRIPT was condemned. Each scroll had to be checked within thirty (30) days of its writing, or it was considered UNHOLY.

6. Every word and letter was counted. If a letter or word were omitted, the WHOLE MANUSCRIPT was condemned.

7. There could be no less than 48 lines on any given parchment and no more than 60. Letters and words had to be spaced at certain distance and no word could at any time, touch another.

By examining these steps, one can see that the task of handling the Word of God was not one to be taken lightly, but was one of extreme care and caution. The scribes considered the Word of God to be HOLY and held the idea that the utmost reverence should be given to the Word. After all, the Word of God warns us over and over NOT to change, alter, pervert or erase the Word of God....PERIOD. A curse is even pronounced over any who would add to or take from the Word.

TOTAL REJECTION

The choice is yours. Jesus is a gentleman, and will not “force” Himself upon you. The destiny of every man is an eternity without God in the Lake of Fire. Jesus has provided a means of escape free of charge. It is there for you right now. But you cannot have it unless you reach out in faith and take it.