The Foolishness of Grace

Why do so many people reject the gospel?

Here’s a verse that answers that question quite well.

“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:18 NIV)

The truth about Jesus and what He did through His death is rejected because non-believers find it “absurd and illogical” (Amplified Bible). In a word, it is “nonsense” to them (J.B. Phillips New Testament).

Here’s an example of this phenomenon.

In late 2023 I wrote a book entitled Why Bad People Go to Heaven and Good People Go to Hell. Here’s what one reader thinks of this book. In a scathing 1-star review on Amazon, she wrote:

“Ok I’m a kid and this book is just stupid! First of all good people go to heaven bad people go to hell! This called common sense like come on. I what this book gone. I’m reporting this book! What is even the reason of this book? I’m can’t… wow I’m a kid and I know more than u!”

She is so upset, she vows to report this book. The phrase “I what this book gone” probably has a typo and should be “I want this book gone.”

It is sad but oh so prevalent to believe the false gospel of salvation by works rather than grace. This young reader has accepted the conventional wisdom that “all good people go to heaven and bad people go to hell.”

“There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.” (Proverbs 14:12 NIV)

I remember well having an even more foolish mindset than this reader. After graduating from Bible college and seminary, I decided that Christianity was irrelevant and “stupid.” I turned my back on God, His Word, and His people and lived as an atheist for over 20 years. I viewed Christians as fools and loved to mock them. I was the fool who said “There is no God” (Psalm 14:1). What could be more stupid than that?

Who do you know who needs to hear the “foolish” message that Jesus saves us “by grace . . . through faith” because “it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).

A free copy of my 31-page book is available on Amazon in Kindle format here:
https://www.amazon.com/People-Heaven-Good-Hell-Part-ebook/dp/B0CLLJPS3X

Or as a free PDF here:
https://payhip.com/b/54GdA

Or in paperback here:
https://www.amazon.com/People-Heaven-Good-Hell-Part/dp/B0CMM18B8V