Topical Bible: Unbelief: They Who are Guilty of Shall be Condemned

◄ Unbelief: They Who are Guilty of Shall be Condemned ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

Unbelief, in the context of the Bible, refers to the rejection or lack of faith in God, His promises, and His revelations. It is a condition of the heart that stands in opposition to the faith that is required for salvation and a right relationship with God. The Scriptures consistently warn of the grave consequences of unbelief, emphasizing that those who persist in it will face condemnation.

Biblical Warnings Against Unbelief

The Bible is replete with admonitions against unbelief, highlighting its seriousness and the inevitable judgment that follows. In the Gospel of John, Jesus Himself declares the peril of unbelief: "Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son" (John 3:18). This passage underscores the critical nature of belief in Jesus Christ as the Son of God and the sole means of salvation.

The author of Hebrews also warns against the hardening of the heart through unbelief, using the Israelites' wilderness experience as a cautionary tale: "So we see that it was because of their unbelief that they were unable to enter" (Hebrews 3:19). This reference to the Israelites' failure to enter the Promised Land serves as a metaphor for the spiritual rest and salvation that is forfeited through unbelief.

Consequences of Unbelief

The consequences of unbelief are severe and eternal. In the Book of Revelation, the fate of the unbelieving is starkly portrayed: "But to the cowardly and unbelieving, and abominable, and murderers, and sexually immoral, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, their place will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur. This is the second death" (Revelation 21:8). This passage places unbelief alongside other grievous sins, indicating its seriousness in the eyes of God.

Furthermore, the Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Romans, explains that unbelief leads to spiritual blindness and separation from God: "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 spiritual darkness is both a consequence and a perpetuator of unbelief, leading to further alienation from the truth of God.

Call to Faith

Despite the dire warnings, the Bible also extends a call to faith and repentance. The Gospel message is one of hope and redemption for those who turn from unbelief and embrace faith in Jesus Christ. As Paul writes to the Romans, "If you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved" (Romans 10:9). This promise of salvation is available to all who choose to believe, offering a path from condemnation to eternal life.

In summary, unbelief is a serious spiritual condition that leads to condemnation, as clearly outlined in Scripture. The Bible calls individuals to examine their hearts, turn from unbelief, and place their faith in Jesus Christ, the only way to salvation and reconciliation with God.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Mark 16:16
He that believes and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believes not shall be damned.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Thessalonians 2:12
That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Unbeliever's Unhappy Condition
... The coolness with which they pleaded "not guilty" has been ... In certain cases, the
root of this unbelief lies in another direction. It is fed by pride. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/the unbelievers unhappy condition.htm

The Sin of Unbelief
... Unbelief has been guilty of infanticide; it has murdered many ... do you not know that
unbelief kept Moses and ... They honored not God; they struck the rock when they ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/the sin of unbelief.htm

Entire Sanctification Obtainable.
... great and crying sin of our fallen humanity is unbelief. ... This is their pedigree and
they rejoice to declare ... governor or ruler may pardon a guilty criminal, and ...
/.../clark/the theology of holiness/chapter ii entire sanctification obtainable.htm

The Census of Israel
... They could not enter in because of unbelief"; but "their ... whether they be evil, the
strict Judge will by no means clear the guilty, but they shall be driven ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/the census of israel.htm

The Great Assize
... Christ, our neglect of the gospel, our unbelief"all of ... sins to which they might well
plead guilty, they will be ... him, and we have now no sins; they have been ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 18 1872/the great assize.htm

Against those who Fancy that in the Judgment of God all the ...
... God's angels), and will intercede for the guilty, both men ... image of His Son, in order
that they might be confounded by the bitterness of unbelief, and might ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 24 against those who fancy.htm

Sovereign Grace and Man's Responsibility
... in faith yet there are times when they are superabundant in unbelief; that if ... of
that class of ministers who tell sinners that they are not guilty if they ...
/.../spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/sovereign grace and mans responsibility.htm

Whether Sins once Forgiven Return through a Subsequent Sin?
... sin, according to Rom.3:3: "Shall their unbelief make the ... life, but not in so far
as they were a ... after making restitution, he does not become guilty as though ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether sins once forgiven return.htm

Our Status.
... Assuredly, they say, there is inherited stain, taken in a ... The deep cause of this
unbelief lies in the ... subject to condemnation, then we are guilty, fallen, and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xxxi our status.htm

All Mankind Guilty; Or, Every Man Knows More than He Practises.
... corrupt, and runs its downward career of unbelief, vice, and ... he has had, he is as
guilty for the ... They have maintained that every human creature has enjoyed ...
/.../shedd/sermons to the natural man/all mankind guilty or every.htm