Sin

For this purpose, let these passages of Scripture, among many others, serve to make obvious the greatness of the sin of not believing in Christ. One may also see how great is the sin of refusing the offer of the Covenant of Grace to us, that is, the offer of Christ to us, by looking closely at what is being refused. Here is the fair offer of Grace as it is made: “Incline your ear, and come to me,” says the Lord, “Hear, that your soul may live; and I will make with you an everlasting covenant, my steadfast, sure love for David” (Isaiah 55:3 ESV). That is, if you will believe Me and be reconciled to Me, then by Covenant, I will give to you Christ and all saving graces in Him with “steadfast, sure love.” (This is repeated in Acts 13:34.³⁸)

Again consider that this general offer is equivalent in substance to an offer made to each individual person in particular. This is shown by the Apostle’s making use of it, [when speaking to one person]: “And they said, ‘Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household’” (Acts 16:31 ESV).³⁹ Observe the reason that motivated God to give the offer: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16 ESV). We see then, that this great salvation is offered in the Lord Jesus. Thus, whoever does not believe in Him, but looks for happiness some other way, what else does he do, except observe lying vanities and forsake his own mercy that he might have had in Christ? “Those who regard vain idols Forsake their faithfulness, But I will sacrifice to You With the voice of thanksgiving. That which I have vowed I will pay. Salvation is from the Lord” (Jonah 2:8–9 NASB). What else does one who does not believe do except blaspheme God in his heart? As it is said, “Whoever believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself. Whoever does not believe God has made him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has borne concerning his Son. And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son” (1 John 5:10–11 ESV). There is no sin against the Law as bad as this sin. Christ testifies, “If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have been guilty of sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin” (John 15:22 ESV). This may convict people of the greatness of this sin of not believing in Christ.

38 “And as for the fact that he raised him from the dead, no more to return to corruption, he has spoken in this way, ‘I will give you the holy and sure blessings of David’” (Acts 13:34 ESV).

39 In Isaiah 55:3 and Acts 13:34 (just above), the second person pronouns are plural. But in the statement of the promise to the Philippian jailer (Acts 16:31), the second person pronouns are singular.