Reasons why people don't trust Jesus as Savior

[I_love_Springtime]

Among people without faith, I suspect there are two main groups - those who know and believe the truth but choose to ignore it (suppressing it as in Romans 1), and those who don't know or believe the truth for a variety of reasons (some may be atheistic and have a hard time believing without scientific data, some may not have been exposed to the truth yet, or their own sins cut them off from seeing the truth). These people are those of which the "god of this world has blinded their eyes so they may not see the glory of Christ."

The more I read the Bible, the more I think many of the unsaved in those biblical times (like the Pharisees) were part of the first group. They witnessed the miracles of Jesus, so you can't say they didn't believe the miracles happened - yet tried to put him away because of their own agenda. And they thought the miracles were done through a demon's influence.

But these days, people have a hard time wrapping their head around knowing the miracles even happened, or if Jesus even existed - but if they did believe, they might accept Jesus. That's why I believe there could be a big revival if people were unblinded to the truth. I believe this second group are the lost ones Jesus looks to find. And I think it's through apologetics that we can uncover their eyes to the truth.

And people these days in the first group, who reject what they know is true, will be judged more severely because they have been exposed to the light and believed it, and yet ignore it on purpose.

 

[for_his_glory]

Great post DougK

The first group reminds me of what Paul wrote in Galatians 3:1 O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?
(Read the whole chapter)

Group 2 are those that Paul spoke about in 2 Timothy 3:1-9 as they walk worldly ways never coming to the truth.

 

[Who Me]

People donot believe in Jesus for many reasons but some common ones are because they already have a belief that they are not prepared to examine or compare with the gospel.
Or because they are not prepared for the social cost of becoming a Christian.

 

[john darling]

I think this makes a pretty good argument for why trusting in miracles won't save anyone. Many people today (skeptics and even professing Christians) say that if they could just witness a miracle, they would believe or change, but that's unlikely to be true at all. As you've suggested, the pharisees witnessed many miracles and it didn't change them.

While visiting the disciples after his resurrection, Thomas put his finger in Jesus' side and was convinced that he really was the son of God. Jesus responded by saying, "You believe because you've seen, but rather blessed are those who believe and have not seen".

He's saying that people who act on the merits of his teachings, as opposed to needing some kind of miraculous experience, will have stronger faith. I think that's why it's always best to make sure that it is the teachings of Jesus which we use as the foundation for any witnessing or preaching we do.

 

[WIP]

I think this makes a pretty good argument for why trusting in miracles won't save anyone. Many people today (skeptics and even professing Christians) say that if they could just witness a miracle, they would believe or change, but that's unlikely to be true at all. As you've suggested, the pharisees witnessed many miracles and it didn't change them.

While visiting the disciples after his resurrection, Thomas put his finger in Jesus' side and was convinced that he really was the son of God. Jesus responded by saying, "You believe because you've seen, but rather blessed are those who believe and have not seen".

He's saying that people who act on the merits of his teachings, as opposed to needing some kind of miraculous experience, will have stronger faith. I think that's why it's always best to make sure that it is the teachings of Jesus which we use as the foundation for any witnessing or preaching we do.

For added clarification, Thomas often is cited for his unbelief but the Scriptures show that all of His disciples fell into unbelief when the news of His resurrection came to them. It wasn't until they saw Jesus face-to-face that they finally believed. See Mark 16:9-14, also Luke 24:8-11.

These are the same disciples that were with Him for three years witnessing first-hand the miracles He performed.