Reasons for Unbelief (in Christians and Non-Christians)

"Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son" (John 3:18).

"Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on him" (John 3:36).

"See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God" (Hebrews 3:12).

Unbelief is a great sin. It applies to those who have heard the gospel and not believed; those who have not heard the gospel; and those who heard, believed, and turned away from God.

The last includes many genuine Christians. Unbelief is understandable in those who have not heard the gospel (although is it still inexcusable—see Romans 1:20) because it is the gospel that causes belief. Unbelief in Christians is very difficult to understand. One explanation may be that, like the Galatians, they do not remember how they were saved"

"You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you?...I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard? Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort? Have you suffered so much for nothing—if it really was for nothing?" (Galatians 3:1-4).

Another explanation may be that they are not reading their Bibles. That leaves the world as the major source of their information and beliefs. It is a bad source. If you are not reading your Bible daily, start now. Don't wait for the new year. Here is a good plan to join.

*Excerpted from Being Christian. To purchase, visit ccmbooks.org/bookstore.

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