10 Reasons not to be a Christian
10. "A lot of Christians are
hypocrites." -
This is a true statement. Many Christians are hypocrites. This should not be
too surprising, because there are bad apples in every basket. The standard to
which God calls us should not be judged by a few bad apples. Besides, would you
rather spend a few years, putting up with a few hypocrites in church, or spend
eternity with all of them in hell? (Matthew 13:24-43)
9. "I am not good enough." - When one becomes a Christian, it is
not because he, or she is good. In fact, we become Christians because we
recognize that we are not good. We are sinners. The redemption of the Christian
is based on grace and faith, not one's own righteousness (Romans
3:21-28).
If it was based on righteousness, nobody would be a Christian, much less be
saved (Romans
3:23; James
2:10-11).
8. "I do not know enough." - Do you believe there is a God? Do you
believe that Jesus is His Son, who died on the cross to save us from our sins,
and was resurrected to give us hope? Are you willing to accept Him as your Lord
and Savior, to follow Him wherever He leads you? His commands are simple: After
hearing the gospel, you must believe, repent from your sins, confess Him, and
be immersed in water into His body (Romans 10:8-18; Acts
2:38; Galatians
3:26-27).
The rest will come with time and diligence (I Peter 5:10; Hebrews 5:12-14). Trust Him.
7. "It is too hard." - Being a Christian is hard work.
Before one becomes a Christian they should count the cost, and commit
themselves to Christ, whatever the cost (Luke 9:57-62; 14:26-35). However, you should know that choosing
not to be a Christian will produce a life that is even harder (Matthew
11:28-30).
To help us, God has provided spiritual tools that enable us to grow as a
Christian and overcome this life (II Corinthians 10:3-5; Ephesians 6:10-18).
6. "I am too wicked. God could not
forgive me." -
What have you done? Have you persecuted Christians? Forcing them to blaspheme
their own Savior through slow and painful torture? Have you persecuted them to
the point of death? If God can accept Saul, the persecutor of Jesus and
Christians (I
Timothy 1:13-16; Acts
8:1-3; 9:1-22), and if He can forgive those who crucified
His own Son (Luke
23:33-34; Acts
2:36-47),
then will He not readily accept you (Luke 15:1-32)? Jesus died for the sins of the whole world, including
yours (I
John 2:2; I
Timothy 2:5-6).
5. "But, that means my family is
going to hell!" -
Once someone realizes the truth of his condemned state, it does not take long
before he considers the fate of his loved ones. This realization often produces
much worry and heartache. Such a person may allow this concern to overpower his
desire to save himself. However, denying the truth will not change their true
state before God (I
Corinthians 4:1-5).
The only real hope of saving your loved ones is to first become a Christian,
and then you can reach out to them with the gospel. Ignoring the judgment to
come does not make it go away. Turning a blind eye only makes condemnation
inevitable (Romans
11:7-10).
4. "God is merciful. He would not
condemn me." -
God truly is merciful. He does not want any to be lost (II
Peter 3:9).
That is why He gave His Son to be sacrificed upon the cross, thereby giving us
an opportunity to be saved (John
3:16). However, the Lord is
also just, and He will one day return unexpectedly, as a "thief in
the night" (I
Thessalonians 5:1-3).
Then the door of opportunity will be closed, and only those who are prepared
will be saved (Matthew
25:1-13).
At that time, He will be "revealed from heaven with His mighty
angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on
those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ." (II
Thessalonians 1:7-8).
This is God’s promise and warning. Will you ignore the warning?
3. "I am a good, moral person. God
would not condemn me." -
On that last great day, there will be many surprised people, whom we might
would consider good, moral people. Many might have even acknowledged Him as
Lord (Matthew
7:21). Some might have gone so
far as to have performed many great works in His name (Matthew
7:22). However, if they have
not obeyed and performed according to the Lord’s command, then Jesus will not recognize
them, and they will be eternally condemned (Luke
13:23-27; Matthew
7:21-23).
Are you obeying the Lord’s command (Mark 16:15-16)?
2. "I'm not ready yet. Maybe
tomorrow?" -
Some people want to finish sowing their wild oats. Once they have had their
full of sin and its pleasures, then they plan to offer their ragged life to
God, just before they expire. Such people underestimate God. He will not be
tricked, or mocked (Galatians
6:7-8). You will reap what you
sow. In reality, the race is not to become a Christian before you die, but to
repent before your heart becomes hardened through the deceitfulness of sin,
unable to hear the word and repent (Hebrews
3:13; Luke
8:4-15).
1. Me, myself, and I - Few, if any, would readily admit this
is the reason for delaying their conversion. However, at some point, all of the
nine above reasons cease to be barriers, and they become excuses, masking their
own selfish, stubborn rebellion as the true reason (Romans
1:18-32).
However, such people will one day find themselves surrounded by all the selfish
beings that ever lived, angels and people (Matthew
25:41-46).
How effectively will you be able to serve yourself and find happiness in that
realm of eternal evil, darkness, and suffering, where nothing good dwells?
Conclusion
If you are delaying
becoming a Christian, then please answer the question, "Why?" What
stands in your way between you and the Lord? Why will you not do what you know
to be right? How do you know this is not your last chance before you either die
or your conscience becomes so hardened that it can no longer be pricked by the
truth? If something still stands in your way, please talk to me, or any
Christian, about it. There is nothing worth losing your one and only eternal
soul (Mark
8:34-38)!
Trevor
Bowen
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