Presently, in modern culture, it would
appear that the great debate is set between those who believe in God
and those who do not. We see atheists and humanists on one side and
the religious and the spiritual on the other. God vs no God.
Biblically speaking however, there's already a problem here. We
can't have atheists on one side of the argument, because they don't
exist. We can't defend against a world that does not believe,
because that world isn't the one in which we live. Everyone believes
in God, whether they admit it or not. Those who tell you that they
don't are lying, even to themselves.
“For
the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and
unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,
because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has
shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible
attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are
made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without
excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as
God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and
their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they
became fools”
(Romans
1:18-22)
The
Bible tells us plainly that everyone knows that God exists, only that
information is suppressed. It's hard for us to balance the fact that
the people we see around us are the lost and those in need of
salvation with the fact that those same people are hardhearted
rebels, haters of God and enemies of the kingdom. The kindness we
see is a veneer, a fragile shell over the evil potential we all carry
with us in our nature. Everyone has their excuse, but no matter what
they tell you remember that it is not that they lack evidence, or
that 'they're just not convinced', or 'the science isn't there', or
the evils of the world show them otherwise; these and many others are
just justifications for their hatred for and rebellion against the
God of the universe.
“And
even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave
them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not
fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality,
wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder,
strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters,
haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil
things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy,
unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; who, knowing the righteous
judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of
death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice
them.”
(Romans
1:28-32)
The
last line in particular is interesting, “knowing the righteous
judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of
death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice
them.” So this goes beyond simply knowing that God exists, we all
know His judgments and that they are righteous! This is the
reasoning, the explanation for the society's continuing decline from
God's standards. It shows us why we see the growth and acceptance of
deviant 'lifestyles' and behaviors. Ultimately it's because we know
that God has condemned them, but the world hates Him, and will
support anything that goes against Him. They will eagerly take any
chance to raise their fist to his face.
Remember
then, that the person you're talking to and trying to convince of
God, that person who tells you they don't believe, doesn't really
mean it. They do believe in God. They are simply unwilling to place
themselves under his authority and that is why we require the work of
the Spirit to be saved; because we don't want to be.
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