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STUPID OR DEAD?
There are two views regarding lost people. One is that salvation is totally up to the sinner's free choice. Salvation is a “good deal” whereby sinners can do something religious and because of their “doing” God is obligated to regenerate them. This theory says the new birth is either something that sinners do themselves or it is the result of something they do that pleases God. Accordingly, lost people must be stupid because they will not “get saved.” By classing those who reject Christ as stupid it follows that the saved must be smarter. Around Christmas time you will even see slogans like “Wise men still seek Him.” What prideful foolish sin! Lost men and women are not stupid! They are often much more intelligent than saved people! Salvation is not a matter of being smart. In fact one of many Bible passages that takes salvation out of man's hands and shows it to be totally in God's hand teaches us that God does not save many “wise” (smart) people. The Bible says: “For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence,” (1 Corinthians 1:26-29). Plain and clear words about those whom God calls to salvation with an irresistible call that destroys human boasting. What, then, is the problem with lost individuals? They are spiritually dead! That is the condition into which all human being are naturally born. Paul wrote of God's children, “And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins,” and again, “Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;),” (Ephesians 2:1 & 5). Spiritually dead people are spiritually blind and deaf: totally oblivious to spiritual things. Only a spiritual resurrection (i.e. regeneration or the new birth) can give them life. Spiritually dead individuals cannot take the initiative in their own birth. In fact there is no place in the Bible where that Book tells us what it is a sinner can do to bring about his new birth or regeneration! No such instructions exist! That idea is a man-made one developed by those who do not understand how God saves sinners. “For the promise [of salvation] is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call,” (Acts 2:39). Who then will be saved? This verse says “as many as the Lord our God shall call.” All humankind faces this fact: unless God saves them they shall remain dead in their sins! Repent! |
