2. Some know, but do not want it
God’s word puts it like this: “Men love darkness rather than light because their deeds are evil” (John 3:19). Have you ever seen a man miserable in church? The same fellow is right at home in the tavern or with his buddies gambling or swapping their smutty stories. He is out of place at church and will be until God changes his nature. He must be born again.
To be sure, there is pleasure to be had in sinning. Scripture speaks of “the pleasures of sin for a season” (Hebrews 11:25). My friend Jack Smith, a veteran hunter, used to say, “The only problem with that is the season is too short.”
On the Panama City beach a fellow stopped me halfway through my gospel presentation. “Listen, buddy,” he said. “I appreciate what you’re doing, but that’s not for me. I’m having too much fun to turn to God.”
I thanked him for his honesty and asked him to take the booklet I’d been sharing with him.
That’s why many are not in church. They like what they are doing and do not want to change.
3. Some know about salvation and want it, but on their own terms.
In our community mission center, I was impressed by the organization and neatness of the various items on display. The clothing had been sized and set into stacks with appropriate signs.
As I was leaving, the host apologized for the state of the door. “The people in the neighborhood have just about broken down the door,” she said. “We’re going to have to replace it.”
I said, “Why are they trying to break in?”
“Oh, to steal the clothing.”
I said, “Everything inside here is free! And they want to steal it?”
She said, “Interesting, isn’t it?”
Then I recalled a sign in one of the rooms: “Thou shalt not steal. Ask and it shall be given you.”
Some in the neighborhood wanted the clothing, but wanted it on their own terms. They did not want to be beholden to anyone. They would prefer to steal it.
Jesus told of a similar attitude of a fellow in the 22nd chapter of Matthew.
A king arranged a wedding feast for his son and sent out the servants to inform his invited guests that all was ready. The servants returned and reported that all the guests were declining. Thinking there must be a misunderstanding, the king sent other servants with the same message.
However, the invited guests scoffed went on about their business. Some abused the servants and even killed several. When the king heard about this, he went into action. His army sought out the offending parties and made short work of them.
