Obstacles to Christ

"Believing is accepting as a fact and making a commitment of your own future to the promises of God to save you -- simply by believing in Christ."   - John F. Walvoord

There are those who often say that they would be more than happy to become "Christians," but they just can't bring themselves to believe in the Bible. Belief, they claim, is a matter of basic reason and, therefore, isn't subject to the will. That a person is no more responsible for his belief than he is for his own heredity.

However, Christ strongly affirms quite the opposite of this. He asserts that the reason why men don't accept Him, is, that they will not, (John 5:40); and that any man who is willing to serve God, or to know the truth, will most certainly, come to believe in Christ (John 7:17; 18:37).

Now, if we examine the New Testament using a wide lens, we would see that, in every case, where men are identified as failing to believe in Christ, it's never simply because of skepticism; rather, there is something sinful either in the heart or mind.

Here are some reasons why men don't believe in Christ, for example: Pride, which can be national, native, or otherwise (Matthew 3:9; John 8:33; Acts 13:45; 17:5; 22:21, 22). Intellectual (Matthew 11:25; John 9:39-42; Romans 1:21; 1 Corinthians 1: 19-21). Or, social (John 7:48).

Self-righteousness (Mark 2:16; Luke 7:39; 18:10, 14; Romans 10:3). Love of praise (John 5:44; 12:43). Love of the world (2 Timothy 4:10; James 4:4; 1 John 2:15). Love of money (Mark 10:17-24; Luke 16:13, 14; 1 Timothy 6:9, 10). Frivolous' excuses (Luke 14:18).

Unwillingness to believe what they cannot understand (John 3:9; 6:52, 60; Acts 17:32; 1 Corinthians 2:14). Unwillingness to have their sins exposed (John 3:19, 20). Unwillingness to separate from unrepentant friends (Luke 9:59-62). Unwillingness to submit to God's authority (Luke 19:14; 20:9-18).

As you can see from this small sample of verses it's not intellectual doubt that keeps men from believing in Christ: it is sin in the heart. They alone are responsible for rejecting the Savior. The sentence pronounced in John 3:36, is fair and impartial. 

We're not disagreeing with sincere, honest doubters, but with men who at the core of their hearts are opposed to Christ, and to God. And, that is why there is the necessity for our discussions to be possessed by the spirit of 1 Corinthians 4:2-5; 2 Timothy 3:23-26.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:9; Acts 3:19; Romans 12:3; 1 John 3:10; Romans 5:8

Prayer: I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me, amen.  - Galatians 2:20

May God bless you,

Kaye