There are several theories as to why people reject Christ. RT teaches that because they were not part of the preselected elect, they are unable to accept Christ due to the corruption and depravity resulting from the fall of Adam. This theory is a man-centered theory, for if we do not present the gospel effectively, it is not our fault, we do not need to strive to be more like Christ, since they were doomed from all eternity to reject the gospel and nothing we can do will alter that predestined outcome. This theory obsolves us of any responsiblity for failing to diligently serve Christ.
So if we set this theory aside, lets consider if another reason or reasons might exist for people rejecting Christ.
Jesus says, John 5:40, that people do not come to Christ, not because they are unable as RT teaches, but because they are unwilling and hence able. But why would people be unwilling to submit to Christ. One possibility is pride, human pride. Prideful people exalt themselves by building themselves up and tearing others down. So when we see folks rejecting Christ in scripture, do we see them tearing Christ down? Lets look at a few of the rejections recorded in the text.
Matthew 13:53 to 58 records the second visit of Jesus to his hometown, Mark 3:13 records his first visit perhaps a year or two earlier, where they said Jesus did His miracles by the power of the devil. But on this visit, at first, since Jesus had become well know as a teacher and a miracleworker, they were astonished. Now this word astonished does not suggest they were amazed, but rather concerned, as indicated by their first question, where did Jesus get this power? If they said, from God, they would have been humbling themselves and building Jesus up. But, since they took the opposite tact, they reveal their pride, their unwillingness (John 5:40) to submit to Jesus.
First, they disparage Him as only a Carpender's son, not a well born, rich or power person. Next they suggest he is just a man, just like them, no different, for His mother is here and his family, just like theirs. Then they ask the rhtorical question, where did Jesus get all these things, implying just like the rest of us, he is no different, no better, not someone we should accept as the Messiah, sent by God. Jesus did not do many miracles because their pride had pretty much shut down their willingness to believe, hence because of their unbelief.
Pride hides in a smokescreen, such as false humility, and changes its name, such as I acted the way I did because of peer pressure - which is just saying my pride required that I do whatever to be accepted in the eyes of men. Take a look at the next rejection, Matthew 14:1-12. Herod wanted to do something but was afraid of what others would think, but then when he was trapped by the scheme of Herodias, in the presence of his birthday party guests, his pride made him willing to kill Christ's messenger, to look good before his peers.
Another disguise used by pride is devotion to self. If we are devoted to ourselves, then we must give that up to be more devoted to Christ. We must be willing to suffer for Christ, and if changing diapers is just too much, what does that say?
If we study the rejections recorded in scripture, we find underlying them all are three reasons for rejection, (1) pride, (2) pride, and (3) pride. Why three? Because pride hides in a smokescreen of rationalization.
So if we set this theory aside, lets consider if another reason or reasons might exist for people rejecting Christ.
Jesus says, John 5:40, that people do not come to Christ, not because they are unable as RT teaches, but because they are unwilling and hence able. But why would people be unwilling to submit to Christ. One possibility is pride, human pride. Prideful people exalt themselves by building themselves up and tearing others down. So when we see folks rejecting Christ in scripture, do we see them tearing Christ down? Lets look at a few of the rejections recorded in the text.
Matthew 13:53 to 58 records the second visit of Jesus to his hometown, Mark 3:13 records his first visit perhaps a year or two earlier, where they said Jesus did His miracles by the power of the devil. But on this visit, at first, since Jesus had become well know as a teacher and a miracleworker, they were astonished. Now this word astonished does not suggest they were amazed, but rather concerned, as indicated by their first question, where did Jesus get this power? If they said, from God, they would have been humbling themselves and building Jesus up. But, since they took the opposite tact, they reveal their pride, their unwillingness (John 5:40) to submit to Jesus.
First, they disparage Him as only a Carpender's son, not a well born, rich or power person. Next they suggest he is just a man, just like them, no different, for His mother is here and his family, just like theirs. Then they ask the rhtorical question, where did Jesus get all these things, implying just like the rest of us, he is no different, no better, not someone we should accept as the Messiah, sent by God. Jesus did not do many miracles because their pride had pretty much shut down their willingness to believe, hence because of their unbelief.
Pride hides in a smokescreen, such as false humility, and changes its name, such as I acted the way I did because of peer pressure - which is just saying my pride required that I do whatever to be accepted in the eyes of men. Take a look at the next rejection, Matthew 14:1-12. Herod wanted to do something but was afraid of what others would think, but then when he was trapped by the scheme of Herodias, in the presence of his birthday party guests, his pride made him willing to kill Christ's messenger, to look good before his peers.
Another disguise used by pride is devotion to self. If we are devoted to ourselves, then we must give that up to be more devoted to Christ. We must be willing to suffer for Christ, and if changing diapers is just too much, what does that say?
If we study the rejections recorded in scripture, we find underlying them all are three reasons for rejection, (1) pride, (2) pride, and (3) pride. Why three? Because pride hides in a smokescreen of rationalization.