Why Do Some People Refuse To Be Saved? - Rom. 10:1-11

Why Do Some People Refuse to Be Saved? - Rom. 10:1-11

We in America now boast of being the strongest nation on the earth with 285 million people. However, only 28% of Americans claim to have been born again leaving 205 million who are yet to make a decision to trust Christ for eternal life. Doesn’t it seem intriguing that the nation where the gospel has the most saturation of any of the 228 nations on the planet still have more than 200 million people who are on their way to hell and do not seem to care? Paul, the apostle gives us some insights in this passage as to errors of the Jews that parallel the mistakes that more than 200 million Americans are making over and over. Let us examine some of these obstacles for belief so we may help seek the lost sheep for the good shepherd before it is too late.

Illustration: Adrian Rodgers, the former president of the Southern Baptist Convention shared the following story, "As I got ready to preach at a Pastor conference during the Rapha (God is our healer) convention, the hotel maid came into the room and started to change the sheets. I turned to her and said, "This is hard work. The woman said, "It is sure is, I’ve been doing it for 20 years." Dr. Rodgers then asked her question, "Have you ever thought much about spiritual things?" The woman said, "A little." He then asked her, "What do you think is man’s greatest spiritual need?" She said without hesitation, "Oh that has to be peace! But I’m an alcoholic and that is one way I try to find some peace in my life." Then politely but clearly, Dr. Rodgers explained how Jesus said, "Peace I give to you, my peace I give not as the world. Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me." (John 14:27) Within minutes that woman trusted Christ as her Savior and Lord.

Obey the Lord and share the good news of salvation through Christ with everyone you can. Realize that our obedience is what pleases the Lord above all things.

1. Paul recognized the the Jews were religiously zealous but they lack a Christ centered knowledge of the gospel. Many Americans profess to be religious. The latest Barna report tells us that more than 92% of Americans say that believe in God. What is the problem? Could it be that many people are ignorant of the basic truths of the gospel. Instead of seeking to be justified by good works the majority of Americans need to admit that they are sinners and need Christ Jesus to provide forgiveness for their sins and trust Him as their Savior and Lord. Becoming a Christian is not brain surgery, but it involves appropriating the correct truth that is spelled out clearly in the New Testament. Perhaps, many churches and denominations are stressing non-essential elements at the expense of the essential truths of John 3:16 for fear of being considered socially-politically or religiously insensitive. Let us focus on communicating the essential priorities of the simple gospel.

2. Paul knew that the Jews were a stubborn people whose pride often hindered them from finding God’s will. Solomon wrote, "Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before stumbling." Peter wrote,"God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore, under the mighty hand of God and He will exalt you at the proper time." (I Pet. 5:5,6) Pride is a mental attitude that says to God I know better than you do how I will find solutions to my problems. The Jews’ pride led them to reject Jesus Christ as their Messiah because they expected a political, social, and religious leader who would free them from all forms of oppression. Could it be that many modern Americans are guilty of the same mistake. Help people become aware that Christ must first reign in our hearts as a personal Savior and Lord before real transformation and liberation occurs.

3. Paul knew that the Jews’ earnest desires were unreasonable. The Jews believed that they could make themselves acceptable to God through keeping of the Law. They failed to reason that no person could perfectly keep the Law. They forgot that everyone needs to be personally reconciled with God through the forgiveness of sin. Paul wrote, "Just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned. (Rom. 5:12) "The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Rom. 6:23) Whenever you run into someone who seems unreasonable about how they think they are going to make it to heaven just ask them, "How are you planning to get your sins forgiven?" Without accepting Christ as their PERSONAL Savior and Lord (something that many Catholics have never been taught), there is no eternal forgiveness of sin.