| How Not to Become a Christian |
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Why tell us how NOT to become a Christian? I spend much time and effort taking services and meetings in churches, prisons, conferences and other places. Why then should I advise on how NOT to become a Christian? After all, I am a convinced Christian. I am sure that all the Bible is entirely reliable and true. I have no doubts that Jesus Christ is God, who took on genuine humanity during his time on earth. I accept as historical fact that He died on the cross for my sins, suffering the eternal punishment I deserve for them. The evidence for Jesus’ resurrection is rock solid. I rejoice that He ascended to Heaven and lives today. I hold firmly that only Jesus Christ can save a sinner from God’s judgement on sin and give him or her eternal life, both now and eternally. So why tell people how NOT to become a Christian? Human nature, or a warning? Is it because I have observed, for example in my children and grandchildren, that when you say ‘Don’t do that, please!’ they will do exactly the opposite. Human nature is like that. Am I thinking that if people are told not to trust Christ they may do the opposite? No – not really. Rather I wish to warn people, who are serious about trusting Jesus Christ as Saviour, in case they cool off, reject God’s mercy, and not come to know God’s forgiveness and promise of a home in Heaven. If they learn how NOT to become a Christian, perhaps they will take heed and ask Christ into their lives. Close your eyes, Block your ears, Harden your heart —— So here goes – here are four ways to guarantee an eternity separate from God and to avoid the peace resulting from knowing your sins are forgiven. First , close your eyes to the FACTS. Tell yourself that Jesus was never born, never lived, never died and never rose again from the dead – despite all the evidence to the contrary. Second, block your ears to the VOICE OF CONSCIENCE. When you feel guilty about all your wrongdoing, say that many people are worse than you. When you are reminded that life is short, death is real, and eternity is long, block your ears by pleasures, ambitions, pastimes, work or the opinions of others. Third, harden your heart to JESUS CHRIST. You can do this by outright rejection, with mocking or blasphemy, or gradually by continually putting off coming to Christ until you don’t feel like trusting Him any more. Eventually your heart may become so hard that you will be unable to hear God’s voice pleading with you to turn from your sins and come to Christ. and lastly ——— If all that cannot stop you, simply say ‘I don’t have enough time. I will consider coming to Christ later when I have more time. Tomorrow, perhaps?’ You know what they say about ‘tomorrow’. It never comes. Gerard Chrispin |
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