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I don't tell people that they are not saved if they do not see things the way I do. But many Christians do.
Explore new ideas, yes. Tell people that they aren't saved, no.
I know for a fact I (or anyone else) did not tell anyone that he/she is not saved, so I don't know why you'd bring it up.
When I say "without faith no one can enter", it is not me telling someone they are not saved, it is what the Bible says about the matter. The Bible is crystal clear: a person needs to have faith and be born again, or he/she will not enter: John 3:5 Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit." Same message is repeated some 200 times in the Bible.
You can not earn salvation by works, and without faith it is impossible to please God. So, I will answer the OP question one more time: the atheist cannot please God.
I know for a fact I (or anyone else) did not tell anyone that he/she is not saved, so I don't know why you'd bring it up.
When I say "without faith no one can enter", it is not me telling someone they are not saved, it is what the Bible says about the matter. The Bible is crystal clear: a person needs to have faith and be born again, or he/she will not enter: John 3:5 Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit." Same message is repeated some 200 times in the Bible.
You can not earn salvation by works, and without faith it is impossible to please God. So, I will answer the OP question one more time: the atheist cannot please God.
Not condeming, I am simply telling you what the Bible says about the matter.
I remember when someone asked what the Bible says about gays, and when he was told what the Bible says, everyone accused him of hating and condeming gays. He merely answered the question. You are doing the same now.
Let me add something though, and I mentioned it earlier. There IS something an athrist can do to please God, and that is to accept Him as their Lord and Saviour. When that happens God is pleased, and the angels cry with joy.
No, your message is, "here's what I think the Bible says about people like you, and what do you know! You're wrong, I'm right!!"
Telling someone that they ought to be democrat or repubblican or whatever, is one thing. But telling people that God doesn't approve of them is quite another, and much more serious. It's basically telling people that they are failures. And that's mean.
"But I'm just telling them what's in the Bible!" you reply. No. You are telling them what you think the Bible says about them; and doing so, you reveal more about you than you do about God.
Peace,
Brian
It would be more mean to lie to them about what the Bible clearly says, but if you want to start rating me personally, and telling me what "my message" is, then you are on your own. Play with someone else. I am not going to get into a bicker match.
John 3:18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.
PS Every atheist I know, know what the Bible says about believers and those who reject God, but they simply don't care because they don't believe in God.
Brian, you loaded the question. We all know that only a Christian (Believer in Christ) can please God --- Works-based legalism only attempt to indebt God!
However, you have now introduced a "Christian" ... who ONLY talks about the Bible all day... and nothing else!" -- The problem with this proposition, is that the latter is not really an active "follower" of Jesus Christ, and is likely only a professing Christian, not a true, 'Born Again' Believer. They would be those of whom Jesus said, "you honor me with your lips, but your heart is far from me."
Professing, 'non-Christians' are often only 'Atheists or Agnostics ... in disguise.' They are no more pleasing to God than the hard-working Atheist, who is 'already' lost and condemned (Jn 3:18).
The Good News is that God is still open to even the now-hardened Atheist - (In fact, all believers were once non-believers). God will be pleased with and save ALL who come to Him by/through faith in Jesus Christ. BUT, the 'window of opportunity' is only open during this lifetime.
I am a Jew and I believe in G-d. I am not an atheist or agnostic in disguise.... What an arrogant thing and Judgmental thing to say.
Following the "mod cut" which served as a reminder to remain ON TOPIC, there were 26 posts. Fifteen of them were deleted as being "off topic."
~That results in THREAD CLOSED.
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