Topical Bible: Eternal Life: The Wicked: Judge Themselves Unworthy of

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Eternal life, as presented in the Scriptures, is the gift of unending life in the presence of God, granted to those who believe in Jesus Christ. However, the Bible also speaks of those who judge themselves unworthy of this gift, particularly the wicked who reject the message of salvation.

Scriptural Basis

The concept that the wicked judge themselves unworthy of eternal life is explicitly mentioned in the New Testament. In the Book of Acts, the Apostle Paul addresses the Jews in Antioch of Pisidia, saying, "But since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles" (Acts 13:46). This passage highlights the self-condemnation of those who refuse the gospel message, thereby excluding themselves from the promise of eternal life.

Rejection of the Gospel

The rejection of the gospel is a recurring theme in the New Testament, where individuals and groups are depicted as turning away from the truth. In John 3:19-20, it is written, "And this is the verdict: The Light has come into the world, but men loved the darkness rather than the Light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come into the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed" . This passage illustrates the willful choice of the wicked to remain in darkness, thereby judging themselves unworthy of the light of eternal life.

Self-Condemnation

The self-condemnation of the wicked is further emphasized in Romans 1:18-21, where the Apostle Paul describes how God's wrath is revealed against those who suppress the truth by their wickedness. "For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts" (Romans 1:21). This deliberate rejection of God and His truth results in their exclusion from eternal life.

The Role of Free Will

The Bible underscores the role of human free will in accepting or rejecting the gift of eternal life. In Deuteronomy 30:19, God sets before the Israelites life and death, blessing and curse, urging them to choose life. This choice is echoed in the New Testament, where individuals are called to respond to the gospel. The wicked, by their own volition, choose to reject this offer, thereby judging themselves unworthy.

Consequences of Rejection

The consequences of rejecting eternal life are severe and eternal. In Matthew 25:46, Jesus speaks of the final judgment, stating, "And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life" . This dichotomy underscores the eternal ramifications of one's response to the gospel message.

Summary

The Bible presents eternal life as a gift available to all who believe in Jesus Christ. However, the wicked, through their rejection of the gospel and love for darkness, judge themselves unworthy of this gift. This self-condemnation is a result of their own choices and actions, leading to eternal separation from God. The Scriptures consistently affirm the importance of accepting the truth and choosing life, highlighting the grave consequences of rejecting the message of salvation.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Acts 13:46
Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing you put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, see, we turn to the Gentiles.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Articles vii and viii: of the Church.
... the devil, who impels and holds captive the wicked. ... hence, they do not procure eternal
life, but are ... these rites just as the apostles themselves judge in their ...
/.../melanchthon/the apology of the augsburg confession/part 11 articles vii and.htm

Against those who Fancy that in the Judgment of God all the ...
... and "These shall go away into eternal punishment;" [1555 ... men of Nineveh repented
in this life, and therefore ... therefore, was fulfilled,"the wicked Nineveh was ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 24 against those who fancy.htm

"They have Corrupted Themselves; their Spot is not the Spot of his ...
... were no temptation, if our hearts were not wicked hearts. ... greedy of gain, is said
to take away the life of the ... world; but it is and shall be an eternal blot to ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon iv they have corrupted.htm

The Good Man Useful in Life and Happy in Death.
... Peace eternal and divine, is theirs forever. ... The good man's trouble terminates with
mortal life. ... The wicked are dismayed when they look forward and consider ...
/.../lee/sermons on various important subjects/sermon xxv the good man.htm

Epistle Lxviii. To Florentius Pupianus, on Calumniators.
... forward, since you constitute yourself a judge [2792] of ... a wicked tongue;" [2798]
and again: "A wicked doer giveth ... Thou hast the word of eternal life; and we ...
/.../cyprian/the epistles of cyprian/epistle lxviii to florentius pupianus.htm

"The Eternity of Hell-Torments"
... shall take his part out of the book of life, an shall ... Thirdly and Lastly, If the
torments reserved for the wicked hereafter are eternal, then this ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/the eternity of hell-torments.htm

Election Confirmed by the Calling of God. The Reprobate Bring Upon ...
... of that kind which enables believers to judge of their ... former call is common to the
wicked, the latter ... Because they "were ordained to eternal life," (Acts 13:48 ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 24 election confirmed by.htm

To the High and Mighty Prince Charles, Prince of Wales.
... to be vainer, nor wickedness how to be more wicked? ... Never was the Judge nearer to
come, never was there ... or how weak assurance they have of eternal life if this ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bayly/the practice of piety/to the high and mighty.htm

On Feast Days and Fast Days.
... dogs compassed me about, the assembly of the wicked laid siege ... For the hope in Him
is immortal and eternal life. ... with power and great glory, to judge the quick ...
/.../various/constitutions of the holy apostles/sec iii on feast days and.htm

The Presbyterian Church of England.
... We believe that God will judge the world in ... whether good or evil, when the wicked
shall go away into eternal punishment but the righteous into eternal life. ...
/.../the presbyterian church of england.htm