complicated question

[BlackRain]

i've been thinking if believers in Christ Jesus are saved by God's grace and it's because of that grace that we can do what we do. we live in grace constantly. we live because of it! so, that brings me to my complex question:

what about non believers? they don't have grace, but are still living like we are. i know that we're living a different life than they. i don't really know how to ask this. they still have blessings and are given things. they have cars and can move about. they don't live by grace, like believers do. so, how does that work? am i making any sense of this?

 

[Richard]

It boils down to the fact that we live for something higher then ourselves. We live for God. We live for the glorious kingdom of God, whereas they live until they die, not caring what will happen when they die.

Non-believers live for earth. Their life view is 'there is no God' so why not enjoy life. Of course, humans can have good things happen to them even though if it isn't God inspired gifts.

 

[MC1171611]

i've been thinking if believers in Christ Jesus are saved by God's grace and it's because of that grace that we can do what we do. we live in grace constantly. we live because of it! so, that brings me to my complex question:

what about non believers? they don't have grace, but are still living like we are. i know that we're living a different life than they. i don't really know how to ask this. they still have blessings and are given things. they have cars and can move about. they don't live by grace, like believers do. so, how does that work? am i making any sense of this?

That makes sense. Un-believers live only by the mercy of God:

Lamentations 3:22 It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.

It is the compassion and the mercy of God that we, all of us, were not destroyed in our un-belief; the same is what allows the wicked to live and breathe. Thank the Lord that His mercy endureth to all generations!

 

[holo]

God lets it rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. I guess that's kinda fair in a way.

 

[Hookem_Horns]

God gives certain gifts of grace to all man, and some just for His children.
gifts to all people:
life
breath
sustenance
movement
time

gifts to His children
election
adoption
redemption
fogiveness
eternal security

My youth pastor spoke on this last sunday, and these were the examples he gave.

 

[BlackRain]

God gives certain gifts of grace to all man, and some just for His children.
gifts to all people:
life
breath
sustenance
movement
time

gifts to His children
election
adoption
redemption
fogiveness
eternal security

My youth pastor spoke on this last sunday, and these were the examples he gave.

thank you!!

haha....hookem horns? riiiight!? gig'em aggies!

 

[Evie]

It boils down to the fact that we live for something higher then ourselves. We live for God. We live for the glorious kingdom of God, whereas they live until they die, not caring what will happen when they die.

Non-believers live for earth. Their life view is 'there is no God' so why not enjoy life. Of course, humans can have good things happen to them even though if it isn't God inspired gifts.

very well put.
we do live for a different purpose

 

[LegomasterJC]

There's also the point that they really are not living. You have to consider it spiritually. We are alive in our spirit while they are dead until they recieve Christ, they are dead. Yes their phisical bodies live but so much of what Jesus says is Spiritual.

 

[IKTCA]

Sister BR:
It is an excellent question. It tells me how sensitive you are to perceive subtle differences. I would like to encourage you to continue to reflect on the basic teachings of the Bible.

God pours grace both to a believer and an unbeliever. The unbeliever is not loved less and the believer is not loved more. But the believer knows God and the unbeliever does not.

There are many advantages in knowing God. Since I know God's love, I know how to love my wife. Before I came to know God's love, what I thought love was unlove. Since I am in God's kingdom, I am free. Before I came to know God, my mind was enslaved to the lust of the world, that is, materials, fame, status, being appreciated by others, smoking, lustful thoughts, pleasure, etc. Now my mind is free from these, and seeks fellowship with the Son.

In a sense, it is not God's grace that differs between a believer and an unbeliever. It is our joy, freedom, and peace that differ, in response to God's grace. The posts above reveal other differences, again, in response to God's grace.
Rupert