WHAT DO WE TELL PEOPLE WHO CLAIM THAT JESUS DID NOT WORK FOR THEM?

Often, people complain that Christ didn’t work for them. They claim that they had grown up in church but had never experienced the presence of God. They might simply say, “been there, done that.”

There are many ways to respond. One possible response is to emphasize the need for patience. For example, Abraham had to wait 25 years for his promised child, Isaac, long after it was physically impossible to have a child by his wife, Sarah.

Also, the Bible promises that we will find God when we seek Him with all of our being:

“You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:13)

He has to be our primary hope, instead of a hope in the promised benefits. I had thought that I had been seeking Him, but in retrospect, I hadn’t been seeking the truth about God but merely what would make me feel good about myself.

Meanwhile, many others might want God, but they refuse to repent of their sins, which they prefer above having a relationship with God. Therefore, Jesus warned:

• “No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish." (Luke 13:5)

Likewise, we will pray to God for a benefit, but when it doesn’t materialize within our time-frame, we reject God. The Psalmists often expressed their disappointment with God. However, since they knew that God was their only Hope, they waited for Him. Normally, we are not willing to wait.

Others become convinced that God doesn’t love them as He does others, and conclude that this is why they are not receiving His blessings. I had struggled with this doubt for a long time. Eventually, many verses convinced me otherwise:

• For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." (Romans 10:12-13)

Often, we think too highly of our own understanding and expect that God should conform to it. Therefore, Scripture counsels:

• Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes...(Proverbs 3:5-7)

Job had thought so much of his own understanding that he brought indictments against the omnipotent God of this universe. God had to humble Job by showing him that he didn’t understand as much as he thought he did. Afterwards, Job confessed his sin and was then restored and again blessed.

We too must humble ourselves before God so that He would life us up and bless us (Luke 18:14). We shouldn’t expect Him to honor our prayers as long as we, in our arrogance, are finding fault with Him.

However, Scripture promises that Jesus receives all who come to Him: “whoever comes to me I will never cast out.” (John 6:37)