Why do people reject Jesus Christ?

Phil 1:21 · Oct 19, 2018

Why do people reject Jesus Christ?

“No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day." John 6:44

Emli · Oct 19, 2018

Dave G. said:
This has been so on going, there is abuse in his upbringing. He grew up to be self sufficient out of necessity, only God really knows His heart. I don't want to say too much in an open forum.

Of course. I understand abuse.
A huge part of why I'm asking this is so I can help others surrender. Abuse seems to be one of the main reasons to why people struggle with coming to God or with staying un-surrendered for a long time even when they love Him and are saved. For both spiritual and emotional reasons. For me, it made me extremely dependant on God, but for others it seems to do the opposite. I wonder why.

Dave G. · Oct 19, 2018

GTW27 said:
"I had to be brought low" And I had to be brought lower than low. Picture for a moment, The Potter and the clay. Now see the old pot(vessel) spinning on The Potters wheel. Suddenly The Potter uses His finger to destroy the old pot(vessel) and immediatly begins to work with new clay to form a new pot(vessel) for noble(His use). By starting afresh, than it truly can be said, "The old has passed away, and all things become new" I personally, had no way out, and layed it all down, then and there.

Amen Brother !

I have been brought low three times in my life. But the good news is the second two times I knew the way out LOL ! It's always a call to draw nearer, to learn more of Him, to seek His mercy and His grace !

royal priest · Oct 19, 2018

How often have we resolved to do this or that for the Lord only to see our aspirations so easily dissipated by the slightest hindrance?
How often has my own heart been warmed and inspired when the congregation sings, "More love to Thee", and quickly cooled again by the next day?
Although we could find many reasons why we often fail in our endeavors to follow Christ, the ultimate cause is God Himself.
We are told in Scripture that "man plans his way, but the Lord directs His steps".
Also, "the heart of the king is in the hand if the Lord. He directs however He chooses."
James admonishes us, "let us not say that tomorrow we shall go into the city and do this or that, but rather let us say IF THE LORD WILLS then we will do business."
This is also why Paul can direct us that, "be anxious for nothing, but in all things make your request known to God."
Then he says to do this, "with thanksgiving in your heart." But why?..."For ALL things work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose."
Let us pray to God who works all things according to the purpose of His will in Jesus Christ, that He would save our loved ones and thus cause all things to work for their eternal good, too.

Emli · Oct 19, 2018

eleos1954 said:
If one truly accepts Jesus their life will begin to change and continue to change in the way of the Lord. The Holy Spirit begins His work in the believer and they are receptive. However, it is also taught there are these as well ... in that one rejects the work of the Holy Spirit, their life does not change. They deceive themselves.

1. Matthew 15:8 These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.

2. Isaiah 29:13 And so the Lord says, “These people say they are mine. They honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. And their worship of me is nothing but man-made rules learned by rote.

3. James 1:26 If a person thinks that he is religious but can’t control his tongue, he is fooling himself. That person’s religion is worthless.

4 1 John 2:9 Those who say that they are in the light but hate other believers are still in the dark.

5. Titus 1:16 They claim to know God, but they deny him by what they do.They are detestable, disobedient, and unfit to do anything good.

1 Corinthians 2:14

But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised.

This is one of the two things I'm wondering mostly about. Even after having seen Jesus whether in other people or having been called personally, they still reject the Holy Spirit. Why? Hebrews 6:4-6 even says that there are those who tastes the Heavenly gifts and shares in the Holy Spirit who rejects Him. I don't understand why.

RaymondG · Oct 19, 2018

Emli said:
Your answer is off-topic.

This question is about Jesus, about Truth and about God's plan of salvation. It's not about interpretation. But the Gospel is simple: believe, repent and be baptized. Surrender to Christ and accept Him as your Lord and Savior. Be a new creation with a new nature, abiding in Him, obedient to His will. He sets the rules, not us. He is God, not us. That is what this thread is about. Why people choose to reject His plan of salvation and replace it with something else?

I believe we should be too busy working on our own soul salvation to take too much thought for those that arent. I also happen to believe that the more we polish our own lights, the more light the world sees, the more people are drawn to that light/Christ.

The more light we allow to shine in us....the less darkness we see around us...as darkness seems to run from light.

If the room is dark....turn on the light.

Dave G. · Oct 19, 2018

Emli said:
Of course. I understand abuse.
A huge part of why I'm asking this is so I can help others surrender. Abuse seems to be one of the main reasons to why people struggle with coming to God or with staying un-surrendered for a long time even when they love Him and are saved. For both spiritual and emotional reasons. For me, it made me extremely dependant on God, but for others it seems to do the opposite. I wonder why.

Of course, you are a faithful servant Emli !

Erik Nelson · Oct 19, 2018

Danthemailman said:
If I had to sum it up in one word, "PRIDE."

yes, pride that makes people trust over much in themselves and their own experiences

they have obviously never witnessed a miracle, or else they would believe

but, trusting over much in their own experiences, they EXTRAPOLATE from their own tiny corner of earth history...

to ALL of humanity, throughout human history, worldwide, EVERY who where and when

they wind up claiming, that because God in Heaven doesn't choose them personally as the next Moses or Joshua to witness the parting of the Red Sea and Jordan river, so God just can't exist and couldn't have communicated to those prophets

it is kinda like claiming that because they get good cell phone coverage in Cairo, so they just have to have good coverage in the middle of the Sahara desert

seemingly, most of them will breathe their last, never once recognizing their COSMOLOGICAL oversight

even more amazingly, hardly anyone else will either, there is no "backstop", they will never be called on their bogusness

if famous pop stars don't call them on their foolishness on social media, say, they will never ever be the wiser

eventually, according to 2 Peter 3:10 and Revelation 20:9, their bubbles will be bursted

but only by GOD IN HEAVEN, not by the lowly mere mortal human inhabitants of little old earth

Hammster · Oct 19, 2018

The unregenerate reject Him. It’s really that simple.

Emli · Oct 19, 2018

RaymondG said:
I believe we should be too busy working on our own soul salvation to take too much thought for those that arent. I also happen to believe that the more we polish our own lights, the more light the world sees, the more people are drawn to that light/Christ.

The more light we allow to shine in us....the less darkness we see around us...as darkness seems to run from light.

If the room is dark....turn on the light.

But this is not about ourselves. As followers of Christ, we have to honor others above ourselves. We minister to those in need, and we edify our brothers and sisters in Christ. Someone who truly belongs to God will care more about their neighbours and their enemies than about themselves and seek to lead the lost to Christ. That means that we care about what is in their hearts. We have to work out our salvation with trembling and fear, but that means that we have to stop focusing on ourselves. There will be no light in us if we aren't living like Jesus and being a servant of all.

Emli · Oct 19, 2018

Dave G. said:
Of course, you are a faithful servant Emli !

Thank you.

It is important to sometimes hear that. And you are too! Of course, all glory to God!

bekkilyn · Oct 19, 2018

Many people reject Christ, never getting an opportunity to really know him, due to the poor example of many of his followers. They see all the hypocrisy and want nothing to do with any of it.

Emli · Oct 19, 2018

Hammster said:
The unregenerate reject Him. It’s really that simple.

It is not that simple. That's the same as saying "all rain comes from the sky" if I ask "why does rain fall from the sky?". It gives a general description of what rain is, but it doesn't explain the rain. I want to understand what a unregenerate person thinks like. Simply saying that they are unregenerate is not going to explain that.

eleos1954 · Oct 19, 2018

Emli said:
This is one of the two things I'm wondering mostly about. Even after having seen Jesus whether in other people or having been called personally, they still reject the Holy Spirit. Why? Hebrews 6:4-6 even says that there are those who tastes the Heavenly gifts and shares in the Holy Spirit who rejects Him. I don't understand why.

Because we always have choice. Just because one accepts Jesus, does that mean satan can not or does not attack them? No In fact, it is likely satan will increase his attacks, especially with a new believer. This is why it is so important believers stay in the word of God always.

Hebrews 6:4? This book is written to the Jewish nation, who had just been exposed to the wonderful truth that Jesus was their long-awaited Messiah. If they rejected the clear evidence of the Word and Holy Spirit regarding this precious truth, there was nothing more that God could do to convince them. This is what Jesus referred to when He said, “If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead” (Luke 16:31 NKJV). In other words, if we reject Jesus and the Holy Spirit after knowing them, we are turning away from the best that God has to offer us. There is nothing better He can send to convince us to follow His Word.

This truth is borne out more fully a little later in Hebrews: “For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries” (Hebrews 10:26, 27). God cannot save us from continuing in willful sin and rejection of the Holy Spirit.

But when a backslider repents of his sins, will God simply reject him? Or can he still be saved? The straight answer is yes, so don’t give up on yourself or a friend. Always remember the prideful prodigal son, who went to live with the world for a time. The Lord humbled him, and he returned to his father’s house. Likewise, the Lord is saying that you or your wondering friends can return to the grace of the Lord.

God Bless.

Hammster · Oct 19, 2018

Emli said:
It is not that simple. That's the same as saying "all rain comes from the sky" if I ask "why does rain fall from the sky?". It gives a general description of what rain is, but it doesn't explain the rain. I want to understand what a unregenerate person thinks like. Simply saying that they are unregenerate is not going to explain that.

They think like that because they have hearts of stone. It’s that simple.

Emli · Oct 19, 2018

Erik Nelson said:
yes, pride that makes people trust over much in themselves and their own experiences

they have obviously never witnessed a miracle, or else they would believe

That isn't true though. Many people witness miracles and still reject God. It happens all the time. Even though they know that God is real, they won't come to Jesus, not for who He truly is anyway. One example from the Bible is Luke 17:11-19. Only 1 of the 10 lepers who were healed gave praise to God. Jesus showed miracles to the Pharisees and they still wouldn't repent. Instead, they accused Jesus of being evil. Obviously, miracles aren't enough. And they shouldn't be, but if the miracle truly reveals God to a person, and a person still rejects God and His goodness... I once heard an unbeliever say "then that person must be really stupid". I have prayed a lot for God to save this unbeliever but haven't spoken to him since. But I suppose that foolishness is another part of it?

dqhall · Oct 19, 2018

Emli said:
I never understood this. I'm not sure that I'm posting this in the right forum, because it's not a question about theology, it's more a matter of the heart. I just don't understand why people reject Christ even once they know who He is. That some are chosen, some aren't, isn't the question here. Because someone who we never thought would ever become saved could suddenly be saved, so who is chosen or not, who is a goat or sheep, etc. is not important.

When non-believers reject Christ because they don't know Him yet, because they don't understand Him or because they haven't seen a real Christian showing them the real Jesus, I understand that. No one can come to Jesus unless our Father calls them first, and no one can see Him without their eyes having been opened. When those of other religions who are deceived by Satan is showing anti-christian hatred, I understand that. I have rejected God for both those reasons before I got saved, and many people do, but none of it is really directed at God but at a false image of Him.

But when people see Him, His goodness, His love, mercy and grace, His righteousness and holiness, then why do they reject Him? What happens in the heart?

I have seen Christian who know who Jesus is, but who have rejected Him and His teachings, refusing to follow Him. Why? I see those who claim to know Him, but don't walk in love? Why? They reject His goodness, mercy, love and grace, and stay hateful and selfish. I understand that they reject the Holy Spirit. But why? They even attack and seem to hate those who show the fruit of the Spirit and live for God's Glory, even in the name of Jesus who they claim to worship.

I'm not sure what answer I am looking for. The obvious answer would be pride and jealousy because they aren't changed yet. But it must go deeper. Because anyone who comes to God, He will never drive away. He is faithful and He will change those who seek Him. He will prune the branches who abide in Him. Those who surrender to His will.

I'm not just talking about sinning or even living in sin for a while, or struggling in our walks. I'm talking about rejecting being transformed into the image of Christ, specifically. Dying to self and to sin. Taking up the Cross. Relying on the Holy Spirit completely and not on yourself. Letting go of the world and having the mind renewed by the Word of God.

Is it rebellion and self-will? Is it that simple? They just don't want to bow before God? They don't want to surrender?

Is it false doctrines? If so, then why do people hold to false doctrines?

I understand what the Pharisees were like. They thought that they were serving God, and they were completely blind to the fact that they were serving the devil by their man-made doctrines. And they condemned Jesus as He was revealing God's love and mercy, and His righteousness and Holiness, to them and to the world. They weren't rejecting God per se, but they were rejecting His nature. But why? If we come to Christ, we receive life and freedom in Him. We lose our lives to receive the new life in Him, but that's an awesome exchange. I ask myself "who could reject that?". And I always get reminded of the answer "nearly everyone".

The narrow path is amazing. Yes, we suffer and go through hardship, and we give up everything for God. But we are in Him, we walk in love, we are set free, we have a Lord and Savior who just never stops caring for us and loving us. And we get to live for His Glory, and for eternity. He heals us and delivers us from evil. He produces amazing fruit in us, and transforms us into entirely new creations in His likeness. His yoke is easy, because He carries it for us. He gives us power, love and self-control. It is awesome!

Ever since I got saved, all I have wanted was to become like Jesus. Not to look good to others (though I did fell into that trap for a little while) but to please Him. Because that is His will. There is no salvation without us becoming new creations in Him, by grace and by the work of the Holy Spirit. So why is this where people seem to stumble the most? We are His creations originally, created in His likeness, so why should we want to rebel and stay lost instead of being saved and transformed into the likeness of His image which is in Jesus Christ? Our salvation is so awesome beyond understanding! Why stay in darkness when we can walk in the Light?

I may be missing something. I feel like I understand it Biblically and I know all the verses, and spiritually, because I know how blindness, darkness, sin, hardness, flesh, false comfort, worldliness and deception etc. works, but I still can't understand it. Because Jesus sets us free from all of it once we believe in Him and in His teachings, and start living according to God's perfect will. It's a free gift. Why reject it? There seems to be this fear of letting go. Faithlessness and unbelief? Lack of understanding? But if that's the case, we can just read the Bible and pray and God will freely give us both faith and wisdom.

This has been on my mind for a long time now. Because in my mind, if you love yourself, you'll choose Jesus. That would be the selfish choice to me. It's not a self-centered choice, because it gives no glory to self, but it's the choice that yields the best outcome for a person in any situation, since God rewards our sacrifices that we make for Him, either spiritually or sometimes materially in this life or with treasures in Heaven.

Why??? I guess what I am asking is what happens in reality that makes people not accept Jesus in reality?

Anything? Maybe someone can at least define what I'm asking here.

They needed to be dishonest instead of truthful. The light shined in the darkness. The darkness did not perceive it.

bekkilyn · Oct 19, 2018

Many may believe in Jesus, but disbelieve that his love and caring and all the other good things about him could ever apply to *them* personally. God is good...for everyone else. If they have heard of this "unregenerate" philosophy that some preach, they automatically assume that they themselves must be in that category because they aren't worthy of anything different. They are full of this despondency and Satan wants to keep them there.

JoeP222w · Oct 19, 2018

Emli said:
Why?

Because God has not granted them the gift of repentance and faith in Jesus Christ.

RaymondG · Oct 19, 2018

Emli said:
But this is not about ourselves. As followers of Christ, we have to honor others above ourselves. We minister to those in need, and we edify our brothers and sisters in Christ. Someone who truly belongs to God will care more about their neighbours and their enemies than about themselves and seek to lead the lost to Christ. That means that we care about what is in their hearts. We have to work out our salvation with trembling and fear, but that means that we have to stop focusing on ourselves. There will be no light in us if we aren't living like Jesus and being a servant of all.

There are people stumbling around in darkest, group A starts to wonder and discuss why they are staying in darkest....they talk about the darkest they are in....they discuss how the group members were too once in darkest and got out...and then wondered/discussed why those, still in darkness, wont get out. Group B turns on the light, and the people are no longer stumbling in darkest.

Which group would you say Helped the ones in darkest more?

Like wise there are people who are poor: Group A discusses how poor the poor people are, wonders why they are poor, discuss how the group members were once poor and now arent etc.. Group B uses their riches and gives to the poor and now they are no longer poor.

Which group did more to help?

I see no nothing wrong with talking about those who we feel are in a worse position than we are spiritually or naturally.....I am just offering another way, for those who would hear it: See in others what you will for them to be, not what you think they are. Showing the way can be just as powerful and pointing it out.

"And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world."

Why do people reject Jesus Christ?

Well-Known Member

Growing daughter of God

Well-Known Member

debtor to grace

Growing daughter of God

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Psalm 144:1

Growing daughter of God

Growing daughter of God

Contemplative Christian

Growing daughter of God

God is Love

Psalm 144:1

Growing daughter of God

Well-Known Member

Contemplative Christian

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Similar threads