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WordSword

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I believe (along with others) there can be no true atheism, regardless the sincerity of such a profession! Children are void of doubting God’s reality when addressed concerning it, and adults always know of it. This is “the light of men . . . which lighteth every man that cometh into the world (Jhn 1:4, 9). I believe the “light” here means that God “shews” us His reality in our conscience—via the material world:

“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven.” “Because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them.” “Since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made.” “Although they knew God, they did not glorify Him” (Rom 1:18, 19, 20, 21). “Even though they did not like to retain God in their knowledge” (v 28) “they are without excuse” (v 20).

John Gill on John 1:9:

“It is best therefore to understand these words of the light of nature, and reason, which Christ, as the word, and Creator and light of men, gives to every man that is born into the world; and which serves to detect the Quakers' notion of the light within, which every man has, and is no other than the light of a natural conscience; and shows how much men, even natural men, are obliged to Christ, and how great a person he is, and how deserving of praise, honor, and glory. The phrase, "every man that cometh into the world", is Jewish, and often to be met with in Rabbinical writings, and signifies all men that are born into the world.”

Since everything we see gives us the undeniable (e.g. “clearly seen”) knowledge of God’s reality, knowing that God is real is not an issue of faith, but of knowledge! During their deliverance and travels many of God’s people knew He was real but chose not trust in Him (Heb 3:12, 18, 19; 4:2, 6, 11).  James (partly in opposition to the polytheism of the Gentiles) wrote that if, “Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble” (2:19). The phrase “doest well” is not in reference to doing good but to merely being accurate, right or correct. In this sense we are discussing believing about God, not believing in God.

There is only one alternative when not trusting in God—“suppressing” the knowledge of Him (Rom 1:18)!

 

 

 

 

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2 hours ago, Word-Sword said:

I believe (along with others) there can be no true atheism, regardless the sincerity of such a profession! Children are void of doubting God’s reality when addressed concerning it, and adults always know of it. This is “the light of men . . . which lighteth every man that cometh into the world (Jhn 1:4, 9). I believe the “light” here means that God “shews” us His reality in our conscience—via the material world:

“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven.” “Because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them.” “Since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made.” “Although they knew God, they did not glorify Him” (Rom 1:18, 19, 20, 21). “Even though they did not like to retain God in their knowledge” (v 28) “they are without excuse” (v 20).

2Co 4:3  But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
2Co 4:4  In whom
the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

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16 minutes ago, Gary Lee said:

2Co 4:3  But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
2Co 4:4  In whom
the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

Amen! Of the three enemies, self (old man), society and Satan, the last is used most to disallow faith to be known to those who choose not to believe (Mat 13:11; Luke 8:10).

Thanks GL for your rely and input! Of course, as Scripture shows, unbelievers can avoid the gift of faith but cannot escape the knowledge of God, which result in their being bereft to "opposing themselves" in their conscience concerning the "Truth" (2 Tim 2:25).

God bless!

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7 hours ago, Word-Sword said:

I believe (along with others) there can be no true atheism, regardless the sincerity of such a profession! Children are void of doubting God’s reality when addressed concerning it, and adults always know of it. This is “the light of men . . . which lighteth every man that cometh into the world (Jhn 1:4, 9). I believe the “light” here means that God “shews” us His reality in our conscience—via the material world:

“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven.” “Because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them.” “Since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made.” “Although they knew God, they did not glorify Him” (Rom 1:18, 19, 20, 21). “Even though they did not like to retain God in their knowledge” (v 28) “they are without excuse” (v 20).

John Gill on John 1:9:

“It is best therefore to understand these words of the light of nature, and reason, which Christ, as the word, and Creator and light of men, gives to every man that is born into the world; and which serves to detect the Quakers' notion of the light within, which every man has, and is no other than the light of a natural conscience; and shows how much men, even natural men, are obliged to Christ, and how great a person he is, and how deserving of praise, honor, and glory. The phrase, "every man that cometh into the world", is Jewish, and often to be met with in Rabbinical writings, and signifies all men that are born into the world.”

Since everything we see gives us the undeniable (e.g. “clearly seen”) knowledge of God’s reality, knowing that God is real is not an issue of faith, but of knowledge! During their deliverance and travels many of God’s people knew He was real but chose not trust in Him (Heb 3:12, 18, 19; 4:2, 6, 11).  James (partly in opposition to the polytheism of the Gentiles) wrote that if, “Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble” (2:19). The phrase “doest well” is not in reference to doing good but to merely being accurate, right or correct. In this sense we are discussing believing about God, not believing in God.

There is only one alternative when not trusting in God—“suppressing” the knowledge of Him (Rom 1:18)!

 

 

 

 

Very interesting subject!

Saved or unsaved, I'm thinking our conscience from birth is the Spirit God gives us to know right from wrong and sin. You can observe that even in children who have not been taught something that's wrong. I'm thinking this is an additional witness to the glorious creation of everything. In other words, just seeing the stars and universe, the earth and all its wonders and miracles, the hundreds of things that have to simultaneously come together and maintain to support our very existence here on the planet. Is adequate reason enough to know there is a God and to seek Him out. Our conscience seems to be that little inner voice that automatically knows right from wrong, mostly without learning. Just my thoughts.

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13 hours ago, Dennis1209 said:

Saved or unsaved, I'm thinking our conscience from birth is the Spirit God gives us to know right from wrong and sin. 

Hi Dennis, and thanks for your reply and good input! You could be right here, but what we decide on is what incurs the results for our lives. Adam and Eve first only knew wright and wrong but I believe were unaware of good and evil, and that God through causing man to know and experience good and evil reveals His holiness--through contrasting them.

I believe deep within all accept the reality of God but are unaware that they do, until something causing them to notice it. As we know, this is only potential for belief in Him, which is where the Spirit comes in--implanting faith--if we ask for it (Luke 11:13)!

God bless and God be blessed!!

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