Is it sin or unbelief that denies salvation?

[Guest DRS81]

For the past couple years, I've been telling atheists that it's not your sin that keeps you from Christ, it's your unbelief. Am I right by telling them this? How can an atheist believe it's their sin that keeps them from God when they think 'sin' is just a 'religious word'. I personally think that it's their unbelief rather than sin. In all reality, it is the sin of an atheist that keeps them from Christ, but since the veil is over their eyes, they lack understanding. Is lacking understanding a sin? Does an atheist lack understanding, or is it just based on ignorance. How can they understand something that they don't believe is real. Is there scripture that clears this up besides Romans 1:20. Because an atheist will just throw Romans 1:20 back in your face and say I do not see God when I see creation. John 3:18 says the atheist is already condemned for not believing in the son of God. The atheist would say how can I be condemned for something I believe is not real. Are these scriptures so deep in thought, that only God is able to understand? 

 

Atheist view - Sin doesn't exist/How can I believe in something that isn't real

Christian view - It is your sin/It is your unbelief vs. It isn't your sin/But it is your unbelief

[OneLight]

Sin hardens the heart, blinds the eyes and deafens the ears.  It is because of sin, there is unbelief.

[Openly Curious]

Hi DRS81,

 

I believe it is a combination of both as it takes faith to call (confess your sins with your mouth) and believing it in your heart.   Believing in the death, burial and resurrection of Christ accepting that Jesus died for your personal sins.  That Christ was buried and conquered death and the grave (the wages of our sins) when he arose from the dead on the third day.  Believing in Christ death and in his bodily resurrection and accepting it making confession.  The scripure state......

 

Romans 10:8-15 - But what saith it?  The word is nigh thee, even in your mouth, and in your heart, the word of faith, which we preach;  That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, "And"  shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.  For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.  For the scripture saith,  Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.  For there is no difference between Jew and the Greek:  for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.  For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.  How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in whom they have not heard?  and how shall they hear without a preacher?  And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! 

 

All we can do as Christians is to spread the message and preach Christ and him crucified.  That is the good news of the gospel that Jesus died for our sins and we can be forgiven by the word of faith.  But if a person doesn't believe in Christ there is nothing that can be done on our part.  All we can do is continuing to preach Christ.  The natural mind cannot comprehend the things of the spirit for they are spiritually discerned.  A person can't be taught to believe unto salvation but they can come to the knowledge of the truth that Jesus died for their sins then they can respond to that truth or reject it.

[other one]

we were all sinners when we first believed

[Guest ninhao]

The Holy Spirit convicts unbelievers of sin and it's up to them to take heed of this conviction and acknowledge their despicable nature. From here it's a short step into repentance, belief and salvation ( ~ Book of Life ) and God encourages and rewards the people who seek Him.

 

It's unbelief which leads to the Lake of Fire.

 

 

Joh 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.  (8)  And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:  (9)  Of sin, because they believe not on me;  (10)  Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;  (11)  Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.
 

 

Rev 20:15  Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.
 

[Qnts2]

I think unbelief is a sin.

[OakWood]

A lot of unbelief is rejection of God. Some unbelief is ignorance of God. The ignorant, I believe will be given an invitation to accept Christ.

[BlessedByTheBest]

I think unbelief is a sin.

 

beat me to it.    although i would say, unbelief is THE sin.

 

this is the source of the original lie, doubting God's Word.

when we sin, we are essentially falling away from and denying the power of Christ to deliver us from sin; and thus denying his sacrifice and resurrection-victory-righteousness which is imputed to us for the purposes of overcoming.

unbelief causes us to walk in our own strength, which is powerless against sin.

 

God bless

[RustyAngeL]

It absolutely is unbelief.  "Jesus said I am the way the truth and the life no man comes to the Father but by  Me. "  Sin is what He came to forgive.  He took everyone of our sins past, present and future to the cross.  When we accept His sacrifice for us we are set free and He gives us the power through Him to walk as He did.  You do not have to be like Jesus, none of us can, but He has no problem being Himself through those of us who are submitted vessels,

[Boash]

I believe it is sin, specifically the name of it is........pride.