2 Peter 3
3 Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, 4 and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation.”
There was a time when most everyone loved or feared God in one way or another; not so very long ago. But that has changed…why? Is it because they see religion as a spoiler; restricting their pursuit of happiness? Is it because God doesn’t interfere enough in the affairs of men, allowing sin to run rampant? Possibly Christians have been “threatening” people with Christ’s return too much – too long. They’ve stopped wondering if the Bible is right and started mocking us for sharing the message.
The movie “God’s Not Dead” reminds us you cannot hate that which doesn’t exist; ergo, atheists hate what they believe about God, not the deity. Wise men have noted in all areas of our existence that man can neither love nor hate that which he does not know. So are many atheists so angry? Because they don’t fear or love Him they find no use for Him or reason to believe.
I know a woman who always approaches others as though they know Jesus. She only rarely meets with opposition because, while most don’t follow His teaching, in America it’s rare to find anyone who doesn’t know who Jesus is. People know God they are just confused as to what to believe about Him. Christians need to talk more openly about Jesus and let those who deny Him eavesdrop on the telling.
It’s often a complete waste of time to defend the existence of God because it’s really God’s character they wish to deny. God is known in “atheist” circles but they are tired of fearing Him.
Romans 1
28 And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper, 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips, 30 slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, 31 without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful;32 and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them.”
They just don’t want to acknowledge Him any longer. This is a recent development in history. Polls show people aren’t changing faiths they are just dropping faith from their agenda in record numbers. As they let go of God He lets go and in doing so turns them over to what He would protect them from…themselves; their own depraved mind. We don’t need Satan to corrupt us we have all the knowledge of evil we need to destroy ourselves.
The world knows that Christians believe in God as Creator, and that we believe He is coming again. But they don’t really know who He is. And they don’t recognize what they become in denial of Him. If they’re going to mock and hate and deny God let them do so in truth. Let them mock the true God and hate him for what He really is. Let them run from the truth in denial because He exposes their wickedness.
I don’t think true conversions come with threat of judgment. His return is comfort to us who believe, in these trying times, and should only instill a sense of urgency in us to share the Gospel in truth. There are enough troubling things in the world, make His coming a joyous reminder of His commitment to His Church – an offering of hope to all who do not deny Him, and good news to those who want to know Him better.