Bible Question:
Dear fellow studiers of the word, I have recently discussed with someone, the merits and demerits, of predestination. During the discussion, he asked me a question about those who have never heard the Gospel. I remember that during my personal study, I read about Gods will and plan for those people (who i suppose could also include young children and those unborn). Could anyone please help me locate this passage? I want to thank all of you who are so willing to offer help, advice, knowledge, and directions when asked. God bless you all. |
Bible Answer: continuation Adults and children who are old enough to know they have sinned are another matter altogether. Romans 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, becasue that which is known about God is evident within them; for God has made ir evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. For though they knew God, they did not honor Him or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and theri foolish heart was darkened. This is called General Revelation. God made His power, His divine nature known to all men who have never even heard the gospel through what He has created. The entire universe, the stars the moon, the earth, the creatures are so wonderfully and awesomely made that man is able to see what God has made an internally know that there is a God who deserves worship. Man can look inside himself at how intelligently and wonderfully he has been made and functions and understand that there is a God who made him because God has made it envident. But men have decided to ignore the truth that they know there is a God and refuse to worship Him or give Him thanks. Every single culture that ever was worships soemthing because they know that there is a God. But because they are full of sin, they pervert that knowledge and worship gods, idols, self, things, creatures in every single culture, from the bush to civilizations to the jungle they all end up worshipping a false god and refuse to simply look into the sky and the jungle and the bush to see that there is one Holy God who made it all and worship Him instead. We are not talking about Jesus now we are talking about creation itself pointing to God. Where the light of General Revelation is, all men get to see God. And by that light God judges them by their response to that light. In every culture that failed miserably which is why the Bible says non may come to the Father but through Jesus. Special Revelation was first given to men before the fall and Adam and Eve rejected it. Special Revelation is all of the particular manifestations of God to particular men at particular times in the history of man. Adam first had miraculous experiences with God, they walked in the gardedn together and talked out lout together. Adam fell and that was no more between them. Then came all the patriarchs who had special miracles happen proving to them that God was there. Then the times of the Law and the Prophets and God kept on showing up doing miraculous wonders shwoing He was there. Then comes the most Special Revelation; Jesus Christ the Revelation of God, then comes the last Special Revelation - the God breathed word of the living God. It is only by this light that men will be able to come to God and be reconciled. God has justice - he requires payment in death and blood for sin, nobody deserves to live or go to heaven, no one at all. God has mercy - He chooses some out of every person who ever lived, who all run away from Him and head long towards hell - to be saved. This is predestination. God has perfect knowledge, and power and is every where, in the past present and future, He knows how His plan to save some will come to pass - this is foreknowledge. God has perfect justice, He chooses some to save by turning them around from their desire to remain sinners, and leaves the rest to freely choose to follow the road to hell because they rejected Him by whatever light they were given- this is election. Romans 8:28-30 Psalm 107:35 Let sinners be consumed from the earth and let the wicked be no more. Bless the Lord oh my soul. Praise the Lord! The Bible teaches that there is no such thing as people who do not know that God exist whether ever hear the gospel or not. They are held responsible by God according to the light they have been given. God is not obligated to save even one person and His justice in condemning all men is Holy. God chooses to save some out of every one as all have already rejected Him and are going to hell because God is merciful and His mercy is Holy. God saves the babies, the unborn, the young children all those who are not aware that they are sinning because they are not capable of understanding any light that He could give them, God is just and mercifull and Holy. God Bless Tamara |