Unbeliever: January 23, 2014

TODAY’S WORD FOR THURSDAY JANUARY 23, 2014

UNBELIEVER

DEFINITION:

A person who does not believe; skeptical.

SCRIPTURE:

But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses (unbeliever), made us alive together with Christ. It is by grace you have been saved. Ephesians 2:4-5.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

God’s Word is always true but not always popular. When it runs counter to the cultural preferences of one who is an unbeliever, the message of the gospel will be uncomfortable to hear and may lead to a challenge and confrontation.

We need to know that biblical truth, including the fact that God sees unbelievers as dead in their trespasses and sins, is true and real. Spiritual death comes to all generations, without exception, through the first Adam and spiritual life is available to all generations through Jesus, the last Adam according to I Corinthians 15:45. Many choose not to believe this is true, but not believing does not change God’s mind. God doesn’t change what He has declared to be truth just because we choose not to believe.

Those who are spiritually dead, unbelievers, cannot perceive the things of God. Divine truth cannot penetrate because their “receiver spirit” is dead within them.

John 1:12 reminds us that there are only two families in the world. They are God’s and Satan’s. We are all born in sin into Satan’s family, and then “born again” into God’s family by trusting in Christ’s sacrifice and receiving Him as Savior.

We need to be reminded that according to Ephesians 2:3 unbelievers, even kind and loving ones, are under judgment. A sin debt is owed (Romans 6:23) and it cannot be paid by kind or loving acts of service. Jesus paid the penalty for our sins and only by trusting in Him and His sacrifice can we escape God’s wrath.

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in Deuteronomy 33:12.

The beloved of the Lord shall dwell in safety by Him, who shelters him all day long; and he shall dwell between His shoulders.

PRAYER:

Help me to be able to communicate to unbelievers that they are in grave danger even though they do not believe this fact. Give me the courage and the words to present and offer Your gift of salvation to unbeliever’s today. I reach out my hands and the words of my mouth today for You to use according to your will and desire.