No One is Really an Atheist

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In a sermon (Sunday, March 12, 2017) the pastor began reading John 3.  In his presentation he spoke of people needing faith. He even properly pointed out that as verse 8 clearly states we cannot and do not know where the Spirit moves but only see the results, i.e. salvation through regeneration. In his approach he used Romans 4:2-4, 16 as it speaks of faith.  It also mentions “if Abraham were justified by works, he hath not glory…” But he did not exegete the whole of that verse or any of the verses, yet it spoke of faith. He next mentioned Hebrews 12:1-2, as it writes of the cloud of witnesses and that “Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith.”   Certainly, that is true.

 

However, the whole point of John 3 was a missed opportunity.  There was no explanation of regeneration with the proper ordo salutis (order of salvation).  The omniscient of God and the foreknowledge of God was omitted.  The much written word and definition of “election” was omitted. Jesus Christ makes this clear in His teaching throughout scripture.  Ultimately, after all the scripture reading, the final word was attributed to what man can do.

 

In the middle of his presentation he gives the example of a girl that has a struggling cousin debating issues of God.  Then he reads a text that states the struggling girl made a “decision for Jesus” after some Wednesday church meeting. Too often denominational tradition seeps through sound Bible reading.  In other words, it is supported by too many otherwise sound preachers that man has to “let” God do something---save them.

 

With no attempt to be too critical of this preacher, he totally neglected the seriousness of man’s spiritual condition.  A mere mention of being “lost” is nothing more than a cliché in most circles. Most contemporary preachers are more afraid of offending someone than speaking the harsh but biblical truth of man’s lost spiritual condition.  Lost man is dead, blind, evil, etc. Without a true understanding of depravity how can one have a true understanding of salvation by grace?

 

How often do we hear someone pray and thank God for His sovereignty and control over everything?  Has anyone prayed to God and said, “God, I am going to let You heal my child…or let You find me a job…or I am going to let You...do anything?  Of course, that is ridiculous.  But yet, we say that we make the “decision” in our salvation.  We make the “choice” in our salvation. We “accept Jesus” in our salvation.  It is our “freewill” to determine our eternal destination. I am going to “let Jesus in my heart.”   In other words, we are letting God save us by our actions (works).  This is just the opposite of what Jesus Christ told Nicodemas in John 3!  Contemporary, and historical, preaching has taught that man actually does take a part (works) in his own salvation by letting God save them at their (man’s) command. True, man is responsible but it is God Who changes the will of man unto salvation.  Salvation is monergistic (all of God) and not synergistic (God plus man). The preacher rightly read that Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith.  And since that is true, why do so many preachers teach a “let God” theology in salvation?