HOW DOES GOD LOOK AT UNBELIEVERS?

“Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else. But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!)” ^{[Ephesians 2:1-5 NLT]}

God’s Word is always true, but sometimes it comes across as confrontational when it exposes our erroneous thinking. One truth that’s often considered challenging is the way God describes the desperate state of those who are without Christ. They are ...

 

Dead in their offenses and sins. Spiritual death came to all people as a result of Adam’s sin, leaving the human race under God’s condemnation.  ^{[Ephesians 2:1]}  

 

Unable to grasp spiritual things. “But the unbelieving man doesn’t accept the teachings and revelations of the Spirit of God, for they are absurd and illogical to him; and he is incapable of understanding them, because they are spiritually discerned and appreciated, and he is unqualified to judge spiritual matters.” ^{[1 Corinthians 2:14 Amp.]} Their minds are darkened, and they cannot understand the things of God. 

 

Outside of God’s family. Spiritually, there are only two families in the world: the family of God and the family of Satan. ``You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” ^{[John 8:44]}

 

Under God’s wrath. Unbelievers, even the ones who are kind and loving, are under judgment because of their unforgiven sins.  ^{[Ephesians 2:3]}

 

Those without Christ are in grave danger and don’t realize it. They need to hear these hard truths before they can see their need of a Savior. Man’s only way to be rescued from an eternal “Lake of fire” is through faith in the saving work of Jesus Christ on their behalf.  That’s the only way they can escape God’s wrath and condemnation.  

 

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Source:  https://www.intouch.org/read/daily-devotions/how-god-views-unbelievers?s=09