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NASB | John 3:18 "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. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | John 3:18 "Whoever believes and has decided to trust in Him [as personal Savior and Lord] is not judged [for this one, there is no judgment, no rejection, no condemnation]; but the one who does not believe [and has decided to reject Him as personal Savior and Lord] is judged already [that one has been convicted and sentenced], because he has not believed and trusted in the name of the [One and] only begotten Son of God [the One who is truly unique, the only One of His kind, the One who alone can save him]. |
Subject: Heresy or true? |
Bible Note: Hello Mr. Douglas, I don’t share your view of “active disbelief.” Here’s why: (1) It smells like the false notion that it would be “unfair” of God not to give everyone a chance to hear the gospel. Whereas God’s mercy is abundant (myself being an example of it), it is still entirely God’s prerogative to whom he extends or withholds mercy. Rom. 9:15,16, “For He says to Moses, " I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion." So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy.” (2) I’m my most humble opinion, 3:18,36 is not restricted to only those who have heard the truth and rejected it. It includes all who do not believe. God saves us by grace through faith. The reason one does not have faith in Christ is either because he has head the gospel and rejected him (John 1:11 He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him.), or because he has never heard (Rom. 10:14 How then shall they call upon Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?). (3) “Active disbelief” also smacks of the notion that God condemns man for unbelief alone. Not so! The gospel is the power of God for SALVATION for all who believe; it is not the sole rule of CONDEMNATION for those who don’t. We’re saved because we believe; we’re lost not because we don’t believe, but because we’re sinners. We’re born that way because of Papa Adam (Rom 5). God “will render to every man according to his deeds:” (Rom. 2:6) A just God will not only judge a sinner who has actively disbelieved in his Son, he will also condemn a sinner for his sins though he has never heard of Christ. Peace, |