Recently the thought about why people just don't believe in God, disturbed my mind. God spoke to me to help me understand this through a sermon by my Church elder, Derek Moon (on Luke 4:14-30) and just by talking to a few of my atheist and agnostic friends at school.

Why unbelief?

1. The primary reason for unbelief is the inability of the human mind to fathom and identify the mysteries of God's word. When we do not understand God's word, we just chose the easy option of just rejecting it. A lot of my friends, when asked about their unbelief, plainly say, "It doesn't make sense!", "Well then how... why... when...?" The pride within us doesn't want to admit its inability to comprehend a greater mystery. Instead of relying on God to reveal the scripture to them, they start off reading with a closed mind. Like Ellen.G.White beautifully illustrates in her book 'Steps to Christ', we need to approach God's word with humility and the willingness to learn, trusting that He will reveal it to us, them He certainly will.

2. Another reason for unbelief is the fact that, our idea of God's promises and His word is different to His. Our preconceived notions accentuate our finite minds. This disappoints us and we fail to see God's promise or work in action. In other words, we misinterpret the scripture. This was a clearly evident reason among the Jews during Jesus' life. Their idea of a Messiah was some kind of a military warrior, who would overthrow the present power and bring victory to the Jews. Due to this rather small expectation, they failed to see the real meaning behind a Messiah, who came to earth to bring a greater salvation, to overthrow the power of death and sin itself, to give us eternal life in Him. Therefore, the best way to tackle this is just to trust God and His word, we don't know how He'll work but His plan is far grater than our's.

3. The third most common reason is that some do not realize the seriousness of the Gospel message. A lot of people seem to easily embark on the fact that they don't want a greater authority to control their lives. They're reluctant to leave their sin behind and walk a life of faith in Christ. Many of my friends tell me that as a Christian, I do not enjoy life, they think that by not doing the same things as they do, deprives me of freedom. In addition, they feel that God controls our lives, stopping us from enjoying it. However, happiness or enjoyment isn't found in night-outs, alcohol or any thing else, true happiness can only be found in Christ. What our flesh finds alluring is not good for us physically and spiritually! Freedom in Christ is better than everything; God isn't controlling our lives but guiding us through it, He is the center of our lives!

Recently, I had an opportunity to speak to a friend of mine about her eternal destiny. She was shocked to find out that 'doing good' doesn't give you a pass to heaven. Once I explained the Gospel - repenting, confessing our sins, asking for forgiveness, believing in the greatest sacrifice of love, and striving to obey Him - she did not seem interested. She told me that she wanted to believe in the world view where our 'good deeds' and sins are weighed. Although I tried to explain further, she seemed to reject it completely.

Our longing desire to sin, that we are born with doesn't like the idea of turning away from it; our flesh doesn't like the idea of turning from sin. At times, we might give up the fight thinking it is not possible. However, in Christ everything is possible. If we are ready to accept Him, we will see the freedom from sin, we will see that there is more to life and He will change us and help us to let go of the sinful life; it is a process not always an overnight event. This reminds me of a verse that sums it all up beautifully: James 4:7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Why to believe?

Our eternal destiny depends on it! Romans 3:23 says the we all 'have sinned and fall short of the glory of God' , therefore, none of us can enter heaven. Heaven is a place of perfection, no place for sin there! God, through His love for our fallen race(humanity), and through His grace, has come down to earth, died in our place on the cross as a perfect Man, so that, if we believe in Him and His sacrifice and repent sincerely we can enter Heaven. In other words, He paid the penalty our sins deserve on the cross, therefore, we have been freed from our sins. Jesus said, "I am the Way, the Truth and the Life; no one comes to the Father except through Me." Therefore, it is clear that we can't enter heaven without accepting Him as our Savior. 

The Gospel message is for everyone. It emphasizes God's mercy, grace and His unfailing love. Therefore, it is vital, as Christians, that we follow the 'Great Commission' and be 'Fishers of Men'. People, need to know the Lord, without Him, they face the gnawing jaws of hell. Let us do our part for God's kingdom!