Topical Bible: Unbelief: They Who are Guilty of Cannot Please God

◄ Unbelief: They Who are Guilty of Cannot Please God ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

Unbelief, in the context of the Bible, refers to the lack of faith or trust in God and His promises. It is a condition of the heart that stands in opposition to the faith that is essential for a relationship with God. The Scriptures consistently highlight the detrimental effects of unbelief, emphasizing that it is impossible to please God without faith.

Biblical Foundation

The Bible clearly states that faith is a prerequisite for pleasing God. Hebrews 11:6 declares, "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who approaches Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him." This verse underscores the necessity of faith as the foundation of a relationship with God, indicating that unbelief is a barrier to divine approval.

Examples of Unbelief

Throughout the Bible, there are numerous examples of individuals and groups who were guilty of unbelief, resulting in negative consequences. One of the most prominent examples is the Israelites during their wilderness journey. Despite witnessing God's miraculous deliverance from Egypt, they repeatedly doubted His power and promises. Numbers 14:11 records God's lament: "And the LORD said to Moses, 'How long will this people treat Me with contempt? How long will they refuse to believe in Me, despite all the signs I have performed among them?'"

The New Testament also provides examples of unbelief, particularly among those who encountered Jesus. In Mark 6:5-6 , it is noted that Jesus "could not do any miracles there, except to lay His hands on a few of the sick and heal them. And He was amazed at their unbelief." This passage illustrates how unbelief can hinder the work of God, even in the presence of His Son.

Consequences of Unbelief

The consequences of unbelief are severe, as it separates individuals from the grace and blessings of God. Hebrews 3:12-13 warns, "See to it, brothers, that none of you has a wicked heart of unbelief that turns away from the living God. But exhort one another daily, as long as it is called today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness." This passage highlights the danger of a hardened heart, which can lead to a complete turning away from God.

Unbelief also results in missing out on the promises of God. The Israelites' unbelief led to their exclusion from the Promised Land, as stated in Hebrews 3:19 : "So we see that it was because of their unbelief that they were unable to enter." This serves as a sobering reminder of the cost of unbelief.

Faith as the Antidote

The Bible presents faith as the antidote to unbelief. Romans 10:17 states, "Consequently, faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ." Engaging with Scripture and embracing the truth of God's Word is essential for cultivating faith. Believers are encouraged to trust in God's character and His promises, as exemplified by the heroes of faith in Hebrews 11.

In summary, unbelief is a serious spiritual condition that prevents individuals from pleasing God and experiencing the fullness of His blessings. The Bible calls for a steadfast faith that trusts in God's existence, His goodness, and His faithfulness to fulfill His promises.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Hebrews 11:6
But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that comes to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

"The Carnal Mind is Enmity against God for it is not Subject to ...
... but to all natural men, who are guilty of adultery or ... charity and amity keeps in,
when once they know what ... you, and convince you of your unbelief, "The natural ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xxi the carnal mind.htm

Believe Just Now
... he cannot part with it, is the most guilty of all. ... new moment is a new act of unbelief;
a new ... stealing and drunkenness, and murder, awful as they are, becomes ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/bonar/gods way of peace/chapter ix believe just now.htm

A Description of Heart-Purity
... apostasy. In the Greek, apistia' (unbelief) leads to apostasia' (apostasy). ... practice.
Let such as are guilty reform it. ... polluted. They are 'splendid sins'. ...
/.../16 a description of heart-purity.htm

Entire Sanctification Obtainable.
... The great and crying sin of our fallen humanity is unbelief. ... This is their pedigree
and they rejoice to declare it ... He may forgive the guilty one, but he cannot ...
/.../clark/the theology of holiness/chapter ii entire sanctification obtainable.htm

The Census of Israel
... Judge will by no means clear the guilty, but they ... They could not enter in because
of unbelief." Nothing can ... sure; and yet because of want of faith they did not ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/the census of israel.htm

Inward Witness to the Truth of the Gospel.
... candidly considered, enough to show that unbelief cannot be a ... men are teachable men;
secondly, because they are pure ... to make him feel himself guilty before God ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol viii/sermon viii inward witness to.htm

The Method of Grace
... It is what most of you think you are not guilty of " and that is ... Says Jesus Christ,
of the sin of unbelief; of sin,' says Christ, because they believe not ...
/.../whitefield/selected sermons of george whitefield/the method of grace.htm

God Justified, Though Man Believes Not
... of salvation is so simple, so suitable to guilty men, it is ... growl at it to-day; but
if they ever join ... In reply to this question, "Shall their unbelief make the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 38 1892/god justified though man believes.htm

Sowing in the Wind, Reaping under Clouds
... it is yours to do what God bids you do, whether the heavens fall down or not; and,
if you knew they would fall ... Next, we are guilty also of unbelief, if we ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 38 1892/sowing in the wind reaping.htm

What God is to Us.
... worlds besides, I could pardon them all, if they would flee ... Unbelief keeps thee
unwilling, and so excludes thee ... who will by no means clear the guilty." As many ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/lecture ix what god is.htm