Christian Living

HIS OWN RECEIVED HIM NOT

by Charles (Chuck) Robey
01/04/16
Free to Share
Author requests article critique

  Message Writer
  Hire Writer

Tweet

"He came unto his own, and his own received him not." - John 1:11

This is one of the saddest verses of the Bible. Our Savior coming to redeem sinful man. Coming to  offering free grace  (Ephesians 2:8-9) to His own people (Matthew 1:21) who rejected Him.

But how about us, the outcast gentiles that we are ? Can we not receive Him, if only we would try ? The Bible makes this issue very clear. The gospel is for all who will accept (John 3:16).   Then,  why are so many of us so willing to reject Him ? If only we will listen, if only we would hear (Acts 29:28). You see, our Lord was very clear on this particular issue (John 10:16).

There are probably any number of reasons, for not committing to the gospel. Let 's just consider a few  main reason, that I fell are important.

 HYPOCRISY

 How many times have you heard an unbeliever state the reason for him/she not attending the church is that the church has too many hypocrites. Religious hypocrisy is certainly offensive to God. And offensive to me as well However, this excuse doesn't hold water. The "old deacon" once said, "If you are looking for a perfect church, please don't join, as you will ruin it".  You see, like any other public gathering, the church is simply made up of people. And people are just people, nothing more and nothing else.

If only we would take our Christianity with us when we leave the church house.  Not only acknowledge Christ in church, but out in the world, as well. I  have experienced, on numerous occasions, a fellow church member  giving a big smile and shaking my hand in the worship service "meet and greet: segment. Only to turn a back, when meeting me out in the public. I called this "Wal-Mart" salvation.

 Just how should we respond this "religious hypocrisy" ? Just do your Bible homework. Some of our Lord's harshest words were addressed to the  religious leaders of His day. In other words, people who reject the church, because of this misconception, are really not rejecting  the gospel, since this example of hypocrisy is not the result of a real Jesus' teachings. All must change (Matthew 7:23).   In other words, we should live our faith through our actions (James 2:20).

FALSE GOSPEL INOCULATION

Have you ever taken the "flu" shot. at the beginning of winter ? If so, did you believe you were getting the real thing ? Of course you did.  Parallel to this example is the true gospel. Many people think they have heard the gospel and rejected its concept,  when in reality they were fooled by a false gospel. It wasn't the true gospel at all (1 Cor 15:1-4).

This is one of the main problems, in a free country as America. So many false parasitized doctrines are being preached. Of course, this is no problem to the true believer, but is a huge hindrance to the unbeliever. And it is one of the many tools of deception used by Satan.

A FASLE SENSE OF  MYTHOLOGY

The unbelieving world will often times start an argument around the misconception that the Bible is full of mythology. How can a Bible be based on mythology, when it foretold of things that were going to happen thousands of years before they actually came true? Simply, open your mind and heart and logically study this theory. The Bible has withstood the test of time (2 Timothy 3:16) ( 2 Peter 1:21) .

UNAWARE OF SIN

This may just be the biggest obstacle to salvation. This is mainly due to the misdirection of society. We  have been told, by rationalistic philosophers and humanistic psychologists,  that there is no such thing as sin. The concept was just dreamed up by so called insecure religious fanatics. This entire concept is just one big Satanic lie, first initiated in the Garden of Eden.

The true scriptural viewpoint, of mankind's inbred sin, is due to the fall of our first parents (Genesis 3:1-7). This true fact  is  grossly over looked, in this false concept  The sin of Adam and Eve was disobeying the revealed word of God, believing the lie of Satan, and placing their own wills above God's. Sin, with all its dreadful consequences, now entered the human race and the world in general (Romans 5:12). Now all have sinned, and in need of a Savior.

THE SOLUTION

What's the solution ? How then, can you know if the one who talks with you is for real, and has the true gospel ?  Simply ask them to explain the gospel, in their own words. Then listen very careful. is it all about works ? Is it a social gospel ? Is it a prosperity gospel ?

 Most importantly, be careful of the trap of a gospel of works. Something you must do to earn God's love and forgiveness.  In other words, if you do such-and-such for God, then He will do the same for you. The good news is that we can never save ourselves. It's all about God's free grace (Ephesians 2:8-9).

You see, the best guard against any false gospel, is to be well grounded in your own faith (John 1:12). Especially, in these last day, as I feel we are approaching ( 2 Tim 3: 1-7, 9,13). As God's return draws near, these characteristics will surely intensify (1 Timothy 4:1-5). Making it  ever harder to witnesses to the grace of God. We must, however, stand firm for the truth, as we enter into this time period ( 2 Timothy 4:2-5).

Author's Post Script

The key to  the true gospel is three fold. 1- Spending with God in His Word (Psalm 119:105)  2- Spending time with God in prayer (1 Thess 5:16-18) and 3 - Spending time witnesses for God  (Matthew 5:16).

 PLEASE VISIT MY WEB PAGE- FOR MORE GOOD STORIES AND OLD TIME GOSPEL MUSIC

http://ccrobey.wix.com/themessage