Listen: 49 Question 7

I suppose there are many reasons that people refuse to believe in God.  The concept of faith is foreign to so many people.  Hebrews 11:6 tells us, “…without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”  Some just will not believe in something they cannot see or feel.

Satan is very active in leading people away from putting their faith in the Lord.  2 Corinthians 4:3-4 says, “But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.”  Notice that Satan has the ability to blind the minds of those who do not believe in the Lord.  When one refuses to acknowledge and bow before the Lord, Satan is able to bring in further blindness and hardness of heart.

Some simply do not want to believe.  To acknowledge the existence of God also brings in the thought of responsibility to Him.  Romans 1:20-23 says “For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:  Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.”  Although God is made known in His creation, some simply refuse to honor Him as God.

Some people love sin and do not want to give it up by trusting in the Lord and following Him.  How shallow and near-sighted this is.  James 4:14 says, “…For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.”  Life on earth is over so quickly.  Eternity is forever.  We read about Moses in Hebrews 11:24-26 which says, “By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.”  May we all be as wise as Moses of old and acknowledge the Lord, bow ourselves before Him, and accept the wonderful gift of eternal life that He offers through the death of His own dear son, the Lord Jesus Christ.  Hebrews 3:15 says, “…To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.”