Jn. 3:16-21
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.
He had grown up going to church and being part of a church community. His parents served in the congregation, and the expectation was that the family would be active participants in that body. He learned, he volunteered, he worshiped, and he grew into a man. When he left home to study, he would meet many people and answer typical questions about his upbringing and his home. Eventually, these questions would touch on the faith in which he was raised. When asked what he believed, he would pause before answering. He did not know whether he found the gospel message to be true. Thus, his answer was the same each time, that he had yet to decide whether he truly believed.
Whether someone believes in the Son of God cannot be characterized as any normal decision to be made. For example, if I try a new food, I will decide whether I like it. There might be a period of indecision during which I have reached no conclusion, or I might never reach a conclusion, so I can say that I have not decided. When asked whether I like or dislike that new food, I can say honestly and correctly say that I have taken no position on the issue. When we talk about faith in Jesus Christ that leads to salvation, there is no such neutral period of decision or consideration. This is because we are born not believing in him. Our default is to not have faith in him. Those who say they have not yet decided whether they believe in him misspeak. They factually are unbelivers.
In the past, I thought I was on the fence about Christianity. We likely know people in our lives today who also have this mentality. They believe they hold a neutral position, and they do not accept or understand that they are at emnity with God from the start. Jesus did not come to condemn sinners because they already are condemned. One need not do a single thing to remain in that state. Those who never consider and never choose have made their choice by that. They remain residing in unbelief, and that can bring only condemnation. Father, help us to honestly convey this message to the lost with compassion and grace, and to share with them the truth of their desperate need for a savior.
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