Mission Venture Ministries

The apostle Paul wrote: “the god of this world (Satan) has blinded the minds of the unbelieving, that they might not see the light of the Gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God” (2 Corinthians 4:4). 

Unbelievers are spiritually blind with a veil covering their heart. The only way the veil of blindness can be removed is by turning to the Lord (2 Corinthians 3:16). Until this happens, they are excluded from the life of God and remain darkened in their understanding because of the hardening of their heart and the ignorance that is in them (Ephesians 4:18). 

The devil, who is the god of this world, uses the evil influences of his world system to keep men occupied with idols. As the master deceiver, he has created many distractions that keep people from seeking the truth about God. “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world” (1 John 2:16). 

The world’s system of satanic lies and deception blinds people from the knowledge of God. The Bible soundly rebukes such people. “You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God” (James 4:4). 

Satan does a masterful job of using religious pride to conceal God’s glorious Gospel of grace. This stubborn pride produces a fierce, unbending loyalty to an apostate church or a false religion. It is often seen in many religions when their followers are being evangelized. Many reject God’s gift of grace by saying, “I was born into this religion, and I will die believing what I was taught.” They need to know the truth that they were born a sinner and will die a sinner unless they repent and believe the Gospel (Mark 1:15). 

Sadly we should never underestimate the captivating power of religious indoctrination. Many religions begin teaching children from the time they can think that their religion is the only true religion. They grow up convinced that they belong to the “one true church or religion” and that their belief is the only one that is true. Such people are woefully deceived about their relationship with God. Tragically, millions go to their grave never knowing about God’s indescribable gift of salvation that comes only through Jesus Christ and nothing else. 

This prideful arrogance of self-righteousness and self-sufficiency is a great hindrance to recognizing the need for a Savior since personal pride blinds men from the seriousness of their sin. They refuse to acknowledge their need of a Savior and refuse to plead “God, be merciful to me, a sinner.” Such was the case of the self-righteous Pharisee who boasted in his good works before God but went home unjustified (Luke 18:10-14). 

People who do not know about God’s perfect standard of righteousness will seek to establish their own (Romans 10:1-3). Their only hope is to repent and believe Christ for His gift of righteousness (Romans 5:17), since this is man’s only passport to get into heaven (2 Corinthians 5:21). 

The greatest obstacle for many people learning the truth is their willful ignorance and stubborn belief that they already know the truth. Some religious people have a strong-minded determination to never consider opposing views on doctrinal issues. When confronted with the objective truth from God’s inspired, infallible, inerrant Word, they refuse to consider the possibility that they could be wrong. Tragically, they are “darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart” (Ephesians 4:18). 

Some reject the Gospel and choose to remain in a false religion because of an unwavering loyalty to their family. They do not want to offend their parents who might ostracize them or even remove them from their last will if they ever leave the family religion. This is one reason why Jesus said that a man’s enemies will be members of his own household and He will divide parents from children and believers from unbelievers (Matthew 10:34-37). 

The one who is misled is “the person without the Spirit who does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit” (1 Corinthians 2:14). Only God can bring them to life through His mercy and grace (Ephesians 2:4-6), and only the truth of God’s Word can set them free from the snare of the devil (John 8:31-32). 

Clearly, there are many reasons why people reject God’s indescribable gift of eternal life. It is no wonder why the disciples asked our Lord, “Then who can be saved?” Jesus said to them, “With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:25-26). 

The Lord is the only one who can open stubborn hearts to receive the Gospel with joy (Acts 16:14). He is the only One who can shine in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 4:6). 

Knowing this, let us remember to pray to our Sovereign Lord for those who are perishing. Pray for God to grant them repentance and faith so they will trust Christ alone for salvation. Bear in mind that this life is short and eternity is forever, therefore, the most important question is where will you spend eternity? 

Remember that eternity is incomprehensible to the human mind since it is time without beginning or end; an infinite time, having no boundaries or limits; impossible to measure or calculate. Therefore, the decision you make in this life have never ending consequences, so think about it while you still have time. Once you take your last breath your verdict has been cast and can never be changed. 

For the truth of God’s Word on how to become or to know that you are a true born again Christian click on the following link: HOW DO YOU KNOW THAT YOU ARE A TRUE BORN AGAIN BELIEVER? – James 2:19

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