Let God Be God

08/28/24 – 09/04/24

Four Sinful Reasons

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  08/31/24

Read Romans 10.

Why would anyone reject Christ’s loving invitation for eternal salvation? Romans 10 gives us four reasons.

First, people reject Jesus out of misguided religious zeal (vv. 1-4). Some people’s own zeal—whether for legalism or false religion—is what blinds them to their need for Christ. Like Paul in the days when he persecuted Christians, many people have good intentions, but good intentions without Truth prove deadly.

Second, people reject Jesus due to their misdirected efforts (vv. 5-13). In many ways, it is the simplicity of the Gospel that causes people to stumble. If you give them a complicated formula, they will follow it, eager to justify themselves by their great works. But the Gospel is simple: Repent, confess Christ, and believe that He rose from the dead, for no one can earn salvation. The Gospel both seems too easy and grates against man’s pride.

Third, people reject Jesus because of a deliberate mishearing of the message (vv. 14-17). Some do not receive the Truth simply because they do not want to hear it. Their hearts are so hardened that even the Gospel of life reeks of death to them.

Finally, people reject Jesus out of sheer stubbornness (vv. 18-21). With open arms, God pleads with all humanity to repent. But instead of responding to His invitation of mercy, many choose to remain disobedient, preferring to go their own way rather than to submit to God.

On the day of judgment, no one will be able to say, “I didn’t know! I wasn’t predestined!” All will be without excuse—their sinful reasons for rejecting Christ laid bare.

Prayer: Lord, I know You are a just God. I marvel at the forgiveness You offer. May I share such a precious gift and promise with those You put in my path, that they might repent and choose life in You. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“But I ask: Did they not hear? Of course they did: ‘Their voice has gone out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world'” (Romans 10:18).