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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Are unbelievers in any way "saved"? | Heb 11:1 | gbea | 118406 | ||
Hi. Paul exhorts Timothy to godliness in I Tim 4. At the end of verse 10, he gives a description of part of God's character saying that He "is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe." What does he mean, that those who don't believe in Jesus are still saved from something? I have some small ideas, but I really don't understand here. Let me know if the LORD's given you any insight to share. Thanks and blessings in Yeshua/Jesus, our Savior and King!!! GB |
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2 | Are unbelievers in any way "saved"? | Heb 11:1 | BradK | 118407 | ||
gbea, Let's see if I can't give you a fairly simple answer. First, NO ONE is saved apart from placing their faith in Christ (Acts 4:12). Scripture makes this abundantly clear. If I can put it this way: Christ IS Savior- regardless of whether we acknowledeg this or not(Is. 45:21,1 Tim. 1:1, Tit. 2:13, 2 Pet. 1:1). However, He doesn't BECOME our Savior until we place our faith IN HIM ( Is 45:22, Rom. 10:13). This is what I believe the text of 1 Tim. 4:10 is, in effect saying. The Commentary Critical makes this observation: "specially of those that believe—Their “labor and reproach” are not inconsistent with their having from the living God, their Saviour, even the present life (Mk 10:30, “a hundred fold now in this time … with persecutions”), much more the life to come. If God is in a sense “Saviour” of unbelievers (1Ti 2:4, that is, is willing to be so everlastingly, and is temporally here their Preserver and Benefactor), much more of believers. He is the Saviour of all men potentially (1Ti 1:15); of believers alone effectually." Speaking the Truth in Love, BradK |
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3 | Are unbelievers in any way "saved"? | Heb 11:1 | Rowdy | 118408 | ||
I would submit this post only in an effort to give this thread the balance as given by God's Word. Paul gives this guidance to the Romans which is also applicable to the modern world: Rom 2:12 All who have sinned without the Law will also perish without [regard to] the Law, and all who have sinned under the Law will be judged and condemned by the Law. So for those in the world that have heard God's Word, they are most emphatically held to that standard as you've stated so powerfully. But there's no way anyone can possibly defend a position that God would actually condemn someone based on a standard of judgment that the person had never heard. BUT that DOESN'T mean that those folks will be treated to an easy judgment. All human beings do have the image of God with which we're all created and that's the standard which will be used by God to determine whether they go to heaven or not. This is discussed briefly in 1 Pet 3:21. God bless. --Rowdy |
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4 | Are unbelievers in any way "saved"? | Heb 11:1 | BradK | 118409 | ||
Rowdy, With all due respect, where exactly did my response lack balance? I only just answered a fairly simple question:-) This is the second time you've cried for the "need for balance", and I'm seriously missing a "why". As to your contention that, "But there's no way anyone can possibly defend a position that God would actually condemn someone based on a standard of judgment that the person had never heard", I ask "what saith the scripture"? Unless I'm negligent on this, Romans 1:19-20, and 2:1 answer this- and quite convincingly! In fact, the first 3 chapters of Romans make the case for man's sinfulness! I either seriously misunderstand you, or you're unequivocably mistaken to say "All human beings do have the image of God with which we're all created and that's the standard which will be used by God to determine whether they go to heaven or not." No. God's standard is BELIEF in His Son Jesus as John 14:6, and 17:3 state! There is simply no other standard, my friend, and to believe so is folly. Speaking the truth in Love, BradK |
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5 | Are unbelievers in any way "saved"? | Heb 11:1 | gbea | 118413 | ||
Interesting discussion. Thanks, BradK and Rowdy. Surely, God shines the sun and brings the rain on the wicked and the just. In a sense, perhaps He’s “saving” people from some things by allowing them to live on this earth with breath in their lungs, where His Creation testifies of His goodness. It’s perhaps as if He is allowing them to be saved for a short time from hell, where all evil abounds and is judged (apart from God's presence or Light)… even being patient holding back the antichrist so that men can repent. During the tribulation, even the elect can be deceived and fall. While I do not know exactly how our Creator will judge the unbeliever who has never heard the gospel, I am compelled by the Spirit of God and the Scriptures to believe that all who do not repent of their sins and accept Jesus’ sacrifice in their place are condemned to eternal judgment, having their sins on their head. To believe otherwise would leave the believer with a false sense of being righteous while being idle toward the lost… in not preaching the gospel, in season and out, in heart intent, thought, word, and deed. The western Church, particularly, has become quite content to sit in its lush churches with nice entertainment and self help teaching while the rest of the world goes to hell. Maybe we have a wrong picture and must repent. Before Jesus’ death and resurrection, the gentiles were without relationship to the Living God, instead serving idols and being sons/daughters of Satan. It is only by believing on the One whom our Holy Father sent that we are adopted as children of light. Jesus is truly the only way, truth, and life… and no one comes to the Father but through Him. Oh, that we would seek Him and walk in His anointing, that we would boldly testify of our Lord Jesus' sacrifice... that people would hear and believe and repent and follow Him. There is no hope apart from His salvation. Blessings to you. Thanks again!! GB |
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