Why do some people hear the gospel taught and still say they can't believe it?
Some cannot be convinced just as Agrippa could never be convinced that what Paul was telling him was true. Many hear the Gospel and this book taught but remain unconvinced, saying they cannot believe that all of it is free for nothing. Until they believe it, they will not have it.
Les explains that Agrippa could never be convinced that what Paul was telling him was true, and that this is where a lot of people are today. They hear the Gospel and hear this book taught, but they cannot be convinced; they just say, 'I can't believe it.' Some approach and ask what you have got, and when told, they answer that they cannot believe that is all it takes. Les recalls a young man in his class down at Wilburton who, from about five or six years old, had no home life and no parents, and just made it on his own. He came up after class and asked if he could have all of this free for nothing. When told yes, he said he couldn't believe that. He told how he had to scratch and fight for every little bit of food he had while growing up, and asked how he could be told he could have all of this for nothing. Les said he was sorry, but until he believed it, he would not have it. The young man left, and Les hoped that in the interim he had come to his senses that all of this is ours for the taking if we believe it—believe it. The passage then moves to 'neither death nor life nor angels,' and Les asks why the Holy Spirit inspired the apostle to start with death rather than the normal order of life nor death, since it is put neither death nor life.