Scripture Prompt
The One and Only Reason People Choose Not to Follow Jesus
It all comes down to this…
Perhaps the most famous conversation in the Bible is the one Jesus had with the Pharisee, Nicodemus, as recorded by the Apostle John. We can assume that John witnessed this exchange, and he recorded it exactly as it happened.
Nicodemus was a teacher of the law and a learned man. John said this discussion happened at night, probably because Nicodemus had his reputation to protect since Jesus was a controversial figure among the Jewish leaders.
The key passage I want to consider starts with the verse that almost everyone can quote. But it’s important to read and evaluate this verse in a more complete context. Jesus said:
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God. (John 3:16–21, ESV)
Allow me to extract from Christ’s words above these important points:
- There are two groups of people in the world…those who will perish and those who will have eternal life. It’s one or the other. There is no third rail.
- Believing in Jesus is the factor that makes the difference. Jesus came into the world to save those who would believe in Him. Believe in Jesus and gain eternal life. Reject Jesus and perish.
- What does it mean to “believe” in Him? To believe in Jesus is to agree that He is the “light,” that He is “the way, and the truth, and the life.” (John 14:6, ESV) Those who believe in Jesus demonstrate their belief by hating wickedness and striving to follow Jesus’ commands.
- You can’t love wickedness yet claim that you believe in Jesus. The two are not compatible. If you continue delighting in the things of darkness, you aren’t truly a believer. To believe is to follow.
So, there it is. The one reason people choose not to follow Jesus is because they do not agree with Jesus’ standards. They look at the commands of God, and they judge their standards to be higher or more important than God’s standards as taught by Jesus and His Apostles. Or, as Jesus put it, they love the darkness rather than the light because their works are evil.
People choose not to follow Jesus because they prefer their lifestyle over the lifestyle Jesus exemplifies.
They don’t want to give up their sin. It really is that simple. Tragically simple.
Eternal life
To believe in Jesus, to follow Jesus, is eternal life. How horrible is it that people reject Him because they love their sin, they love the darkness, to the point that they are choosing an eternity of misery for a few short years of pleasure in this life?
What’s even more tragic is the fact that, more often than not, this sin does not deliver the joy that it seems to promise. Dark choices in this life result in trouble and misery now, and they will lead to an eternity of agony that goes on forever, and ever, and ever when this life is over.
Dear one, consider your life. Does your sin really bring you that much pleasure? Is it worth an eternity in hell?
Jesus offers an abundant life now, even in the midst of hardship
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. (John 10:10, ESV)
You might make excuses, saying “There’s no convincing proof that Jesus rose from the dead.” or “Christians can be such hypocrites.” or “I don’t want to go to church.” Those are feeble arguments to avoid making the choice to become a follower.
Making statements like this just proves you love the darkness rather than the light.
If you hear His voice, become a believer. Become a follower. Jesus said:
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. (John 10:27–29, ESV)
