What causes one person to choose Christ and another person to reject him?

Question

In an evangelistic meeting, two people hear an evangelist preach the gospel. While one person responds in saving faith, the other person continues to reject God. What is it about the person who responds in faith that causes him to choose Christ? Why does he make the right decision while the other person makes the wrong decision? Is the person who responds in faith better or smarter than the person who continues to reject Christ? What's the deal?

I think the first thing that will come to the minds of many will be the issue of free will. But my question goes beyond this. The question is, why does one person freely choose Christ while the other person freely rejects Christ? What causes a person to make the kind of decision that he or she makes? Is it a spiritual condition, intellectual or moral capacity, or what?

Answer 1

The Holy Spirit!! Jesus says that no one goes to Him if The Father (God) does not send this person (To Jesus). The Bible also shows us that the Holy Spirit is the One to convince and that no strength or even violence have the power to convince people.
The call comes from the Holy Spirit and in my point of view there is no such thing as "free will" as we were made to worship God.
The devil is around persuading people that he does not exist, making people think of themselves more than ever, making people believe that God accepts averything as God is Love (in their minds that is the "god" they have made in order to make up their faults and sins). People live their lives as if nothing could ever reach them... Our flesh will perish but ours souls / spirits are eternal. Jesus will return to take his sons. Nothing will change that. Being stubborn is the fastest way to hell.
We should pray for people, pray for the world. We should intercede. Most of the prophets interceded for their people by confessing their people's sins in order to receive God's forgiveness and favours.
We should definitelly do the same. The world is dying. People are dying and their souls are being lost forever!
Where's the love? We need to search for Jesus' love into our souls, hearts and spirits and we need to spread the Word - God is everything, Jesus is our Saviour. There is no salvation without Him. Confession, abnegation, faith, change and love, love, love!

Answer 2

Your question makes the assumption that choosing Christ is the right decision and not choosing Christ is wrong. People like myself who do not choose Christ believe that many of the ideas in Christianity are admirable, but we do not agree with all of the assumptions. I do not believe in an afterlife for example. Therefore, I do not believe that Christ or anybody can save me from ceasing to exist after I die.

Of course, I agree with much of what is attributed to Christ, like turning the other cheek and doing unto others as you would have them do unto you. These maxims can be found in other religions as well. I would rank him highly in my list of good people who say inspirational things.

Instead of worrying about whether people accept or reject your personal belief, try to find things you have in common with other people. Christ would want you to use your talents for helping the world as it is now. Spread love and kindness wherever you can. If it turns out you were right, and St. Peter really does greet you after you ascend to Heaven, you can relax knowing you used your life to help others, and did not obsess over irrelevent things.

Answer 3

I can't speak for anyone but myself, but I chose to be an atheist because I saw no evidence of a god. No burning bushes, no thundering voices from the clouds, no angels, parting seas, self-multiplying foods, or talking snakes. I did see many, many different religions, each claiming to be the one true path, and preachers, priests, and zealots who advocated mysogeny, hatred, homphobia, and the denial of obvious facts to further their own beliefs. Some would take one phrase or paragraph, and build their entire beliefs or practices around that line.

I also saw evidence for evolution and other scientific processes or history that has multiple sources, is testable, repeatable, and consistent. I'm a little amazed that more people don't declare them selves as atheists. But then again, it's a personal decision, and one that each person has to make for themselves. I will be content if the religious folk don't try to convert me, and don't get any state funding or support in their beliefs. If you want to do this, do it on your own dime.

Answer 4

You will find that it is typically directly related to emotional response and past experience. Some people are more inclined to get emotional around certain music, and respond to speeches with open hearts.

You find this in hypnotism as well. Some are more suseptable to being hypnotized because they tend to be emotionally open. At rock concerts you can see them 'getting into' the music.

Evangelical meetings use music and homily to entise people to join the faithful. Some are better than others, but all evangelists are charming, well liked people who have a natural propensity to speek to crowds. Just like politicians. Those that most often answer the call tend to be more emotional and less logical in their behavior. This can be seen in politics as well. Emotional people respond to politicians talking about saving the children and helping the needy, where as pragmatic, logical people respond to fiscal preparedness and defense.

If someone comes to me with a message stating that I have to believe in God because they 'KNOW' he exists, I don't respond, because I tend to be pragmatic.

Answer 5

I believe intelligence has a bearing on the choice.... anyone with half a brain can see that the bible's stories are just that.... stories! Nothing more! Superstition is the root of evil!

By the way.... who are you to say that the one who chooses christ is the right one while the other is wrong? Are you THAT high on your pedestal that you think your way is the only right way? You know what I call people who think they're always right?? Delusional!

What if you are wrong & the ones who choose the muslim faith are right? Or you are wrong and the ones who choose the jewish faith are right? Or if all religions are wrong and Atheists are right?

You don't KNOW your faith is better than any other one, you BELIEVE it is.... believing yourself to be better than the rest is called pride & egotism.... which are both things that christians are not supposed to have.... that solidifies the case that christians do not practice what they preach & thus are hypocrites.

Answer 6

Everyone has their own reasons for choosing to connect with or reject Christ. Many people, such as myself, don't agree with the religion.

I personally choose not to be religious for various reasons. I believe that religion has been the cause of too much pain, suffering and war. I also don't agree with religious fanatics who "worship" a certain figure and devote their life to them. Now, don't get me wrong I have nothing agaisn't people using their free-will to practice religion and I don't have a problem with people believing in Christ, I just choose not to. I disagree with many things in the Bible and I don't believe that people should be punished for some of the acts known as "sins", such as Gay relationships. I've looked into other religions that sparked my interests and beliefs, but Christianity is not right for me. All in all, I choose not not to be Christian because I don't agree with most of that religion.

Answer 7

I would say that it comes down a very personal choice (yes, free will). But what drives that choice is the desire for fulfillment. The person that chooses religion feels that religion will give them something that they are currently lacking (answers about the universe and death, rules about morality, a feeling of belonging, and attachment to something bigger than the individual, etc). This is not to say that the person who rejects religion is complete and fulfilled, they are just not finding in religion the things they are searching for.

Answer 8

Steve,
In some cases timing is everything. There are also people who would reject their own last breath just because it is "forced on them" by someone else. Many of our decisions are a result of our upbringing and others as a result of our own feelings. The answers to this question should be interesting and varied. Have a wonderful day!
Thanks,
Eds

Answer 9

I think you're probably right, that is has to do with an individual's spiritual condition, itellectual openess, etc. Also, sometimes people come with a lot of "crap" - many call it baggage - we ALL have it, we are all guilty of sin, we have all screwed up. I think it's hard for many people to truly believe that God REALLY will forgive them and love them regardless. So, they harden their hearts to him, much like people harden their hearts towards other people who they fear won't accept them. I'm sure this is not the complete answer, but my thoughts on it.

Answer 10

Some people, like me, choose Christ because of how He lived his life, inspired countless lives during His life, and died as a Savior. He chose death, even though He knew He could escape if He wanted to. He chose death so that we could all be forgiven for our sins. I admire a man like that; a man who was brave enough to die for what He believe and and what He thought was right to do. Others don't choose Christ because they either don't believe He was divine or they don't believe in what He taught.