Fair Condemnation by God

[Timothy]

As a Christian I take John 3:18 by faith, "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.

But lately as a human I have been struggling with "whoever does not believe stands condemned already"

I find it hard to understand how a person, born into a family that doesn't know God, raised in a Godless house, and set out into the world totally blind to a God - and then, when they hear The Good News laughs it off since it reminds them of a Harry Potter movie, or anything else fictitious .... well, they are just an innocent human totally ignorant to God, their sin, and their need for salvation.

I find it hard to understand how this person is under a fair trial?

I find it difficult to understand. But, one again, by faith I accept that God's ways are not our ways ....

Still - when that person (and many others) stand before God, point to their life, the religious mess on earth, the simple ignorance in truly understanding they are sinners, etc .... how is it a fair condemnation?

 

[graceandtruth]

I think we have to take into consideration the work of the Holy Spirit as described in John 16:7-11.

Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:  Of sin, because they believe not on me; Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged. (John 16:7-11)

What makes the trial fair is that the Holy Spirit testifies to the veracity of the the Gospel.  So it is more than rejecting a story or evaluating the Gospel based on the religious mess in this world. 

 

[Reformed Guy]

As a Christian I take John 3:18 by faith, "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.

But lately as a human I have been struggling with "whoever does not believe stands condemned already"

I find it hard to understand how a person, born into a family that doesn't know God, raised in a Godless house, and set out into the world totally blind to a God -...

They know God.  Everybody knows God. 

Rom 1:18  For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
Rom 1:19  Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.

I highly recommend giving this a listen.

http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=1028121338108

 

[christundivided]

As a Christian I take John 3:18 by faith, "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.

But lately as a human I have been struggling with "whoever does not believe stands condemned already"

I find it hard to understand how a person, born into a family that doesn't know God, raised in a Godless house, and set out into the world totally blind to a God - and then, when they hear The Good News laughs it off since it reminds them of a Harry Potter movie, or anything else fictitious .... well, they are just an innocent human totally ignorant to God, their sin, and their need for salvation.

I find it hard to understand how this person is under a fair trial?

I find it difficult to understand. But, one again, by faith I accept that God's ways are not our ways ....

Still - when that person (and many others) stand before God, point to their life, the religious mess on earth, the simple ignorance in truly understanding they are sinners, etc .... how is it a fair condemnation?

Its called the judgment of SIN. There is a SIN question in humanity and not necessarily a sins question.

Do you think its fair that everyone dies? Even those that didn't sin like Adam did?

I think you know where this dealt with by Paul in the book of Romans.....

God is ultimately just in His actions because of His offering of Christ Jesus for the ungodly. What man has done with the Truth presented at Calvary is his own. Somewhere, somehow.... SOME rejected that truth and it has resulted in many peoples never hearing the Gospel. You can't blame God for the inaction of man.