The California Collection/TheCaliforniaCollection.cdr/his101/godlove2.arj/GODLOVE2.TXT

Text File | 1989-06-29 | 7KB | 140 lines

               WHY WE BELIEVE IN GOD'S LOVE

   In today's world, believers are constantly beset by non- believers
with questions.  One of the most prominent of these is: "What happens
to people who never hear of Christ - are they condemned to Hell by
God?"  I have many times fielded this question and relied on the
teachings of other apologists for my answer, usually to the effect
that "God is shown as merciful and full of love and would not condemn
anyone for not hearing of His Son's name".

   This answer, as good as it is, does not really explore all the
facets of the question.  The question of innocence is implied in the
question, and this matter is not dealt with.

   In my prayer before studying for this lesson, I asked the Lord to
assist me in finding the answer that would be applied to questions of
this nature.  I believe that He answered this prayer in directing me
to Romans 1.  I have read this section many times, but this time
verses 18 to 21 really became "alive" and jumped at me.  Lets read
Romans 1:18-21  *** READ ***

   Here we have Paul actually telling us the answer to these questions
in more detail than most questioners could have imagined.  The WRATH
OF GOD is not directed against innocence or ignorance but is directed
against (1) ungodliness and (2) wickedness.

   What is the specific act of ungodliness that provokes the WRATH OF
GOD? - Supressing the truth!  What Truth?  Let's look at verse 19-21.

   Here we have what is referred to as a General Revelation which is
general in character by its content and by its audience.  Content
because it does not provide a specific or detailed description of God
- the TRINITY is not revealed here, etc.  God reveals that (1) HE IS
and (2) HE HAS ETERNAL POWER AND DEITY.

   The audience is general in that this revelation is directed to all
mankind and not to a specific group.

                        WHAT IS REVEALED?

1. It is CLEAR and unambiguous - the KNOWLEDGE OF GOD IS NOT OBSCURE!
"It has been shown (manifest) to them" [19]  "It has been clearly
perceived (seen) by all mankind" [20]

2. The message GETS THROUGH!  God never provides an insight into
Himself that may or may not be received.  These verses show "THEY KNEW
GOD [21]."  Our problem is not that we don't KNOW GOD but that we
refuse to acknowledge what we DO KNOW to be of God.

3. We find the revelation has been (and is and will continue to be)
going on since the foundation of the world - not a ONCE FOR ALL
situation but CONTINUAL and CONSTANT. [20]

4. The revelation comes by way of creation.  God's invisible nature is
revealed "through the things that are made" - In other words, all of
God's creation is a theater to display the nature of its creator.

5. It is sufficient to render ALL MANKIND "without excuse". (What
EXCUSE was Paul addressing?  What excuse could this general revelation
eliminate?)

                            IGNORANCE

   In the "SHORTER CATECHISM", the Roman Catholics have a doctrine of
VINCIBLE AND INVINCIBLE IGNORANCE".  Vincible ignorance "Could and
should be overcome and is inexcusable" while INVINCIBLE "cannot be
overcome and is, therefore excusable".

              **** PARABLE OF TRAFFIC TICKETS ****
                        (Teacher's note:

   I use a story of driving into XXXX town and turn right on a red
light and I am pulled over by the police of XXX town and given a
ticket - this is Vincible ignorance in that by driving my car into XXX
I should have become aware of their traffic laws, etc.  Now if XXX's
town council had secretly passed a law that made it against the law to
go through an intersection on a "green" light then I would have
INVINCIBLE ignorance and not be liable to the law for violation of
that law.

   I believe that this doctrine is a valid and correct interpretation
of what God intends for mankind.  A person may be excused for not
hearing the name of Christ but he will not be excused for claiming not
to know God.

    WHAT ABOUT THE NATIVES WHO WORSHIP GOD AS SOMETHING ELSE?

   Cows, Totem Poles, Idols or other forms are addressed in the
remaining verses of 22-25 and given a concise answer.  Pagan religions
are not derived from a sincere or honest attempt or search to find the
"ONE AND TRUE GOD" but are created out of a fundamental rejection of
God's self revelation.

** READ ROMANS 2:15 **

   Here we have "Law written on their hearts".  What does this mean to
you?  Mankind is ALWAYS devising laws and "ethics" - and man is always
breaking them.  These are the laws that Paul mentions here.  Every
group discovered has developed social laws of right and wrong.  Where
do they come up with these "universal" laws?   From their hearts and
what they perceive from God's creation.

   Therefore, a man in the remote parts of the world will NOT be
condemned for never hearing of Jesus. He will not be punished for that
- he will stand on judgment for the rejection of the Father and the
DISOBEDIENCE to the laws in his own heart.

   If all men have heard of the Father but rejected Him, then it
follows that all men need to know of the redemption offered through
CHRIST.  To have no knowledge of Christ is to be in jeopardy due to he
prior rejection of the revelations of the Father.  To hear of Christ
and reject HIM is a state of DOUBLE JEOPARDY.  Now, not only has the
Father been rejected, but the Son as well!

   Now the meaning of the "TWO-EDGED" sword is deepened.  Those who
believe in the Father and the Son find the sword "sweet with victory"
while those who reject God and His Son find the sword DEATH.

** READ ROMANS 10:14,15 **

   Now we find in these verses that (1) No Man is not aware of God the
Father and the fact that He is invisible (2) that He is the creator of
all things and (3) that mankind ALWAYS operates by some set of laws
that, at their foundation closely resemble God's laws of right and
wrong.  It is these laws that a man will violate and thus be in loss
of His soul --- BUT we are told by verses 14,15 that it is OUR duty to
see to it that THEY DO HEAR.  We must SEND preachers (missionaries)
into their midst (if we are not the missionary being sent)!

   In Ezekiel, we have the story of the watchman and the admonition
that "if the watchman seeth the sword coming and calls not a warning
-- the loss of their blood shall be upon the watchman's head".  Our
responsibility and our duty to Jesus, our Lord, is to make certain,
within the abilities given us by God, that every tongue shall hear of
our Lord.

     CFC-Sysop - San Jose