Posted on 09/30/2022 6:51:31 AM PDT by metmom
“‘He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God’” (John 3:18–21).
Although God graciously has offered the world salvation through the work of Christ, that salvation is not appropriated except by penitent faith. The lost are condemned because they have “not believed in [literally, “believed into”] the name of the only begotten Son of God.” While the final sentencing of those who reject Christ is still future (cf. 5:28–29), their judgment will merely consummate what has already begun.
Jesus described judgment by contrasting light and darkness. Christ is the Light—He came into the world and “enlightens every man” (John 1:9). But people refuse to come to the Light because they love the darkness where their evil deeds will not be exposed. The Light reveals their sin. But as a result, they seal their own condemnation because they reject the only One who can save them from their spiritual darkness.
In contrast, believers hate their sin and love righteousness (1 John 2:3–6), so they willingly come to the light because they have nothing to hide and no reason to fear what the light will reveal.
Ask Yourself
How many times a day do you participate in activities you hope no one else knows about? Aspire to the freedom of being the same person in private that you are in public—unashamed at and unexposed by the Light.
From Daily Readings from the Life of Christ, Vol. 1, John MacArthur. Copyright © 2008. Used by permission of Moody Publishers, Chicago, IL 60610, www.moodypublishers.com.
https://freerepublic.com/~religionmoderator/
Studying God’s Word ping
“‘He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
This statement and all that follow it overlook an indisputable fact, namely that in the history of humanity the vast majority of people never heard of Jesus Christ, and therefore it has been impossible for these people to either believe or disbelieve in Him!
Interesting that you would say that about Jesus’ own words.
I’m sure Jesus was well aware of that.
People won’t be judged according to what they didn’t know. You can’t reject what you aren’t aware of. IIRC, the Book of Romans deals with this.
Everyone has a “universal moral code” written on their hearts. Those who seek a higher presence knowing thst presence to be the source of heir inner longing for morality, or,whatever you want to call it, don’t really know who they are seeking, but do know they are seeking someone, because the ho.y spirit pro puts them to seek.
It is God’s responsibility to make hi self known to “all who seek” even if they don’t know who or what they seek. He has revealed himself all through creation in many ways so that noone has an excuse for unbelief or their lack of desire to seek him, clam8ngmthatnthere was no evidence of his existence. He not only reveals his existence through the holy spirit, but also through nature so,that man can see and know that there must be a power higher than themselves that created everything
God k kws who seriously wants to know him and who doesn’t, and its his responsibility to reveal his existence to them through the holy spirit beczuse he is their creator and responsible for taking care of those that wish to know him.
Tribes where “everything was a,lowed” (ie godless tribes where nothing was considered “sin”, or wrong, folks in such societies who sought and found God always sensed, always knew in their hearts, that there was something higher to seek.
Romans 1:19, “Because that which may be known of God IS MANIFEST IN THEM; for God hath showed it unto them
Everyone is given ghe same internal enlightenment as everyone else. Whatnthey choose to do with that enlightenment is up to them, and God alone knows their hearts
They didn’t accept that their societies lax rules were normal, and knew they were sinning because the holy spirit revealed it so,to them. They confess to never feeling right about Indulging in an anything goes society. And God rewarded those folks with salvation at some poin. This is open to everyone, even those who have never heard with their ears about christ. It’s just that so many folks ignore the prompting of the holy spirit, and ignore their feelings that soemthing Just isn’t right, and they give themselves over to sin because it’s easier to,just go along than it is to admit they are not living right, and seek help. Only a very few people actually want to know christ or God- the Bible tells,us that. Those that do will find God.
Even in godless societies which indulge in every sin u Der the sun, there still re wins a universal moral code written on the heart that compells a person to seek that “which is right” so to speak. Whi,e some in those societies have learned to ignore those prompting by the holy spirit every time he prompts them throughout their lives, some have not, and will find God if they truly want to find that special something right they are seeking.
Here is a pretty good site on the issue of whether or not God is “unfair to the heathen or those who have never heard of him”
https://heritagebbc.com/bible-question-and-answer-archive-3/xv-6-is-god-unfair-to-the-heathen/
Sorry to interject a long post/discussion, but the subject of “Does God hate those who have never heard of him” is a serious and important issue that many people wonder about.
An excellent book that deals with this issue is “Eternity in Their Hearts” by Don Richardson, who also wrote “The Peace Child.”
Romans 1:18-23
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and wickedness of men who by their wickedness suppress the truth. 19For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20Ever since the creation of the world his invisible nature, namely, his eternal power and deity, has been clearly perceived in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse; 21for although they knew God they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking and their senseless minds were darkened. 22Claiming to be wise, they became fools, 23and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man or birds or animals or reptiles.
He goes on:
Romans 2:6-16
6For he will render to every man according to his works: 7to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; 8but for those who are factious and do not obey the truth, but obey wickedness, there will be wrath and fury. 9There will be tribulation and distress for every human being who does evil, the Jew first and also the Greek, 10but glory and honor and peace for every one who does good, the Jew first and also the Greek. 11For God shows no partiality. 12 All who have sinned without the law will also perish without the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law. 13For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified. 14When Gentiles who have not the law do by nature what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. 15They show that what the law requires is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness and their conflicting thoughts accuse or perhaps excuse them 16on that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus.
In this, Paul may be reflecting similar thoughts from the Book of Wisdom:
Wisdom 13:1-9
1For all men who were ignorant of God were foolish by nature; and they were unable from the good things that are seen to know him who exists, nor did they recognize the craftsman while paying heed to his works; 2but they supposed that either fire or wind or swift air, or the circle of the stars, or turbulent water, or the luminaries of heaven were the gods that rule the world. 3If through delight in the beauty of these things men* assumed them to be gods, let them know how much better than these is their Lord, for the author of beauty created them. 4And if men* were amazed at their power and working, let them perceive from them how much more powerful is he who formed them. 5For from the greatness and beauty of created things comes a corresponding perception of their Creator. 6Yet these men are little to be blamed, for perhaps they go astray while seeking God and desiring to find him. 7For as they live among his works they keep searching, and they trust in what they see, because the things that are seen are beautiful. 8Yet again, not even they are to be excused; 9for if they had the power to know so much that they could investigate the world, how did they fail to find sooner the Lord of these things?
thanks i will check that out
People won’t be judged according to what they didn’t know. You can’t reject what you aren’t aware of.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
I certainly agree with that.
Interesting that you would say that about Jesus’ own words.
I’m sure Jesus was well aware of that.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>...
So what’s your point?
Everyone has a “universal moral code” written on their hearts...
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
They do? How do you know that? More to the point, how do you think your post addresses mine, which specifically concerns the issue of one’s knowledge or ignorance of the person, nature, and teaching of Jesus Christ, and the need to believe in Him and abide by his teaching to ensure one’s salvation?
Religion Forum threads labeled “Devotional: Devotional threads are closed to debate of any kind.
https://freerepublic.com/~religionmoderator/
Please adhere to the RF guidelines regarding devotional postings.
"No One Else" can be a harsh judge.
How many times a day do you participate in activities you know that GOD sees from every angle?
Yup.
...those without the law...
I certainly agree with that.
Well, the OT sure doesn't!
Leviticus 4:2-3
“Speak to the people of Israel, saying, If anyone sins unintentionally in any of the Lord’s commandments about things not to be done, and does any one of them, if it is the anointed priest who sins, thus bringing guilt on the people, then he shall offer for the sin that he has committed a bull from the herd without blemish to the Lord for a sin offering.”
If anyone sins unintentionally
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Impossible
because the bible says so-
Romans 1:19, “Because that which may be known of God IS MANIFEST IN THEM; for God hath showed it unto them
He has enlightened everyone of His existence- as per his word- what they choose to do with that enlightenment is up to them as explained in my previous post and the site i listed explains it better than i- but basically God
but alas, this isn’t the place for discussion or arguments- take my post and link for what it’s worth- if you feel they aren’t worth anything- then whatever- but all through God’s word he states that He has revealed his presence to everyone so that they are without excuse- some have listed a few verses here that attest to that- - but again- this iwl have to be the end of the discussion- your answer is at the link i posted and also in this thread-
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.