Why do some believe in the Lord while others prefer to be agnostics or outright atheists?

Some of the well-known agnostics/atheists of the last two centuries didn't get along with their human fathers. Some fathers deserted their families, while others were just plain cruel. As a result (as some psychologists believe) they developed a poor father image which, in turn, caused them to reject a God Who called Himself “Father”.

Some, of course, just don't want to be accountable to God. They want to live how they choose without having any feelings of guilt or wrongdoing. They know that death is inevitable but deny the same of a future judgment, therefore salvation is unnecessary.

Our verse today should encourage all to seriously think what Jesus meant. He didn't come to condemn anyone. He came to save the world. To be reconciled to God. To have all repent of their sin and be forgiven. To have eternal life.

Today is a time of grace and salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2). At the end of this age there is only judgment. There will be no hope of salvation on that day.

Jesus said in Mark 2:17, “I came…to call…sinners to repentance.” (KJV). So the Good News is the first part of the Christian message and the latter part is that judgment shall come on all who refuse the Good News.

The Lord even asks the question in Ezekiel 33:11, “Turn! Turn from your evil ways! Why will you die…?” (NIV) He has no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but calls everyone to turn and come to Him.

May we act mercifully to those who haven't turned and urge them to consider that Jesus is who He says He is—the Saviour of the world—full of grace and mercy.

What a gracious Saviour is ours! How lovingly ought we to represent Him to those who still sit in darkness and the shadow of death (Luke 1:79). Let us pray for those who are lost and seek ways to speak to them about Jesus and His offer of salvation.

“Let us watch against unbelief, pride, and self-confidence. If we go forth in our own strength, we shall faint, and utterly fall; but, waiting on the Lord, out of weakness we shall be made strong. Having our hearts and our hopes in heaven, we shall be carried above all difficulties, and be enabled to press forward and lay hold of the prize of our high calling in Christ Jesus.” Matthew Henry