According to the Bible, an unbeliever is someone who does not believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. The Bible makes a clear distinction between believers, who have put their faith in Christ, and unbelievers, who have rejected Christ. Here is an overview of what the Bible says about unbelievers:
Unbelievers Do Not Believe in Jesus
The most basic definition of an unbeliever is someone who does not believe in Jesus. John 3:18 says “Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.” Unbelievers have heard the gospel message of Jesus Christ, but they have not placed their faith in Him for salvation.
Unbelievers Are in Darkness
The Bible describes unbelievers as being in spiritual darkness. They lack understanding of God’s truth because they reject the light of Christ. Ephesians 4:18 says unbelievers have “darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God.” 2 Corinthians 4:4 says the god of this world has blinded the minds of unbelievers.
Unbelievers Are Under God’s Wrath
Because of their unbelief and rebellion against God, unbelievers are under His wrath. John 3:36 says “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.” Unbelievers stand condemned because of their sin, and the only way to be saved from God’s wrath is to believe in Jesus.
Unbelievers Cannot Please God
Without faith in Christ, it is impossible for unbelievers to please God. Hebrews 11:6 says “Without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” Even good deeds done by unbelievers fall short because they are not done out of faith and love for God.
Unbelievers Are Enslaved to Sin
Unbelievers are enslaved to their sinful nature and cannot break free on their own. Romans 6:6 says “For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin.” Apart from Christ, unbelievers have no power to conquer sin.
Unbelievers Are Dead in Sin
Ephesians 2:1 describes unbelievers as being “dead in your transgressions and sins.” Though unbelievers are physically alive, their souls are spiritually dead because of sin. They are cut off from the life of God and completely helpless to save themselves.
Unbelievers Are Unable to Understand Spiritual Truth
1 Corinthians 2:14 explains that “The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit.” Unbelievers cannot grasp God’s truth because they lack the illumination of the Holy Spirit.
Unbelievers Will Face God’s Judgment
Hebrews 9:27 declares “Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment.” All unbelievers will one day stand before God and be judged for their sins. Their eternal destiny is separation from God in hell unless they repent and believe the gospel before they die.
Unbelievers Can Become Believers Through Faith in Christ
The good news found in the Bible is that unbelievers can be saved from sin and condemnation through faith in Jesus Christ. Romans 10:9-10 says “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.” Salvation is offered freely to all.
How Should Believers Relate to Unbelievers?
Based on what the Bible teaches about unbelievers, how should believers in Jesus Christ relate to them? Here are a few principles:
– Believers should lovingly share the gospel with unbelievers and call them to repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. As Paul says in Romans 10:14, “How can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard?”
– Believers should avoid close friendship and partnership with unbelievers, which can lead believers astray. 2 Corinthians 6:14 warns, “Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common?”
– Believers should demonstrate grace and kindness to unbelievers, reflecting the mercy that God showed them while they were still dead in sin. Ephesians 2:4-5 says “Because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions.”
– Believers should avoid heated arguments with unbelievers and instead remain gentle and respectful. As 1 Peter 3:15 says, “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.”
– Believers should care deeply for the eternal destiny of unbelievers. Jude 22-23 says, “Be merciful to those who doubt; save others by snatching them from the fire.” Believers should plead for unbelievers to be saved.
– Believers should trust fully in God’s sovereignty over unbelievers. While believers sow gospel seeds, only God can change an unbelieving heart. 1 Corinthians 3:7 teaches, “So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.”
In summary, unbelievers are those who lack saving faith in Jesus Christ. They remain under God’s judgment because of their sin. But through faith in the gospel, unbelievers can be transferred from spiritual death into new life. Believers must reach out to unbelievers with compassion, urgency, and grace, trusting God to save people according to His will.
Common Questions about Unbelievers
Here are answers to some common questions people ask about unbelievers:
Are all unbelievers atheists?
No, not all unbelievers are atheists. An atheist is someone who does not believe in God’s existence. There are many unbelievers who affirm God’s existence but are not believers in Jesus Christ. These people might follow another religion or consider themselves spiritual without being Christians.
Can good works get unbelievers into heaven?
No, good works cannot earn unbelievers salvation. The Bible is clear that salvation is “not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:9). The only way to heaven is through faith in Jesus Christ. Good works will not cancel out someone’s unbelief.
Will God judge unbelievers who have never heard the gospel?
The Bible indicates that God will judge unbelievers according to the knowledge they were given. Those who never heard of Jesus will be judged differently than those who rejected Him outright. Romans 2:12 says God “will repay each person according to what they have done.” Ultimately God is fair and just in judgment.
Is the Holy Spirit active in the lives of unbelievers?
In a general sense, the Holy Spirit is at work in the world, convicting people of sin and drawing unbelievers to repentance and faith. However, the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit only resides within believers. The Spirit works externally with unbelievers.
Are all unbelievers enemies of God?
The Bible indicates there is a difference between passive unbelievers who are deceived or uninformed, versus active enemies of God who openly defy and mock Him. The former should be evangelized out of love, the latter resisted out of holiness. But God’s grace is able to save any unbeliever who repents.
Should Christians view unbelieving family members differently?
Believers should continue loving their unbelieving family members and seek to serve them sacrificially. While believers must be discerning about harmful influences, family bonds call for special grace and effort to share the gospel. Christians can pray faithfully for the salvation of loved ones.
Can a person who once believed fall back into unbelief?
Yes, the Bible warns against falling away from the faith. Hebrews 3:12 says, “See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has an evil, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God.” While true salvation is permanent, some people reject Christ after professing faith in Him, proving they never truly believed.
In conclusion, the term “unbeliever” applies to anyone who does not trust in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. This spiritual condition leads to alienation from God and puts a person under His judgment. But the amazing news is that unbelievers can be rescued and reconciled to God through faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Unbelief in the Old Testament
The Old Testament contains many examples of unbelievers and warnings against unbelief towards God. Here is an overview:
– Adam and Eve became unbelievers when they listened to the serpent and disobeyed God’s command in the garden (Genesis 3). Their rebellion led to the fall.
– In the days of Noah, widespread unbelief toward God led to rampant wickedness, causing God to send the flood as judgment (Genesis 6-7). Only Noah’s family believed and obeyed God.
– At the tower of Babel, unbelievers tried to build a tower to make themselves famous and avoid being scattered, distrusting God’s command to fill the earth (Genesis 11:1-9).
– Pharaoh stubbornly refused to believe in God despite seeing miraculous signs, leading to divine judgments on Egypt (Exodus 7-12). His hard heart was persistent in unbelief.
– The Israelites frequently fell into unbelief in the wilderness, doubting God could provide for and protect them. Their unbelief incurred God’s discipline (Numbers 13-14).
– King Saul turned to unbelief near the end of his reign, rebelling against God’s instructions through the prophet Samuel. His disobedience cost him the kingdom. (1 Samuel 15)
– Many kings of Israel and Judah promoted unbelief among God’s people, leading to moral decay and eventual exile. Their lack of faith was ruinous (2 Kings).
– The prophets contended against widespread unbelief in Israel/Judah, calling people to turn back to God. Tragically, most continued in their unbelief, despite warnings of judgment.
These examples illustrate that unbelief has plagued humanity from ancient times. People reject God’s truth in favor of their own path. Without repentance, such unbelief reaps disastrous consequences, both individually and corporately.
Examples of Unbelievers Converting to Faith
Though unbelief has disastrous effects, the Bible contains hope-filled stories of unbelievers who turned in faith to the true God. Here are a few examples:
– Rahab: Formerly a pagan prostitute in Jericho, Rahab hid the Israelite spies and confessed faith in the one true God. She was spared in the conquest of Jericho. (Joshua 2, 6)
– Naaman: The Syrian general had leprosy but was healed after obeying the prophet Elisha’s instructions to wash in the Jordan River. Naaman confessed that the God of Israel is the only true God. (2 Kings 5)
– Nebuchadnezzar: The Babylonian king had Daniel’s three friends thrown into a fiery furnace. After seeing God deliver them, he praised the Most High God. (Daniel 3)
– Ninevites: The entire wicked city of Nineveh, including the king, repented at the preaching of Jonah. God relented from destroying them due to their change of heart. (Jonah 3)
– Paul: Originally a persecutor of Christians named Saul, he was converted after Jesus appeared to him on the Damascus road. Paul became an apostle of Christ. (Acts 9)
– Cornelius: A Roman centurion, he sought God and had a vision to send for Peter. Peter preached the gospel to Cornelius and his household who believed and were saved. (Acts 10)
– Lydia: A wealthy businesswoman in Philippi, she gathered with women by the river to pray. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message about Christ. (Acts 16:14-15)
Though the obstacle of unbelief is formidable, these examples display God’s ability to change the hearts of unbelievers when exposed to His truth. Their conversions brought great joy in heaven.
The Danger of Unbelief Among Professing Christians
The New Testament contains sober warnings against unbelief creeping into the church through false converts and deceptive teachings. Here are some dangers of unbelief within Christianity:
– Jesus warned of unbelievers masquerading as members of the flock, whom he will reject on judgment day despite their religious credentials. (Matthew 7:21-23)
– Many people followed Christ outwardly but never truly believed in Him. Judas exemplified this hidden unbelief even among the 12 disciples. (John 6:64-66)
– Demas deserted Paul because he came to love the world. His unbelief shipwrecked his supposed faith. (2 Timothy 4:10)
– False teachers secretly introduce heresies that deny Christ, deceiving many to embrace unbelief. (2 Peter 2:1)
– Within churches, bitterness, unforgiveness and sexual immorality can become footholds for unbelief. (Hebrews 12:15)
– God disciplines those in the church who persist in unbelief, revealing their lost state. (Hebrews 3:12)
– Even true believers can temporarily fall into unbelief before repenting, like when Peter denied knowing Jesus. (Luke 22:54-62)
These warnings emphasize that suspected faith must be tested and proven genuine. Those who fall into unbelief must be lovingly corrected and restored to faith. Disciples must persevere believing in Christ to the end.
How Jesus Responded to Unbelief
During His earthly ministry, Jesus frequently encountered unbelief from the religious leaders, crowds and even His own followers at times. Here is how He responded:
– With compassion: Seeing the people as sheep without a shepherd, Jesus tirelessly ministered to those in spiritual darkness. (Matthew 9:36)
– With clarity: Jesus confronted unbelief head-on, rebuking religious hypocrisy and false understanding of God’s kingdom. (Matthew 23)
– With authority: Jesus rebuked demons, sickness, nature and death, proving His authority over every realm. (Matthew 8-9)
– With Scripture: Quoting the Old Testament extensively, Jesus countered unbelief with the word of God as His weapon. (Matthew 21:42)
– With grace: Jesus was patient toward weak faith and unbelieving questions, taking time to explain and instruct. (Mark 9:14-29)
– With urgency: Knowing people’s eternal destiny was at stake, Jesus warned of judgment and preached the kingdom relentlessly. (Luke 13:1-5)
– With heartfelt sorrow: Jesus wept over the unrepentant city of Jerusalem for rejecting the things that make for peace. (Luke 19:41-44)
– With reliance on God: Jesus prayed fervently for His followers to be kept from unbelief and for future believers to be united in faith. (John 17:20-21)
Jesus provides the perfect model of combating unbelief without compromising love. His pattern of ministry to the lost sheep of Israel displays how to gently persuade people toward faith.
How Faith Triumphs Over Unbelief
On the cross, Jesus decisively dealt the deathblow to unbelief. His resurrection from the dead shatters the power of unbelief. Here are key ways that faith triumphs over unbelief:
– Christ defeated Satan, the father of lies who promotes unbelief. (1 John 5:19, Revelation 12:9)
– The Holy Spirit convicts people of sin and convinces them of the gospel truth. (John 16:7-11)
– God grants repentance and circumcises hearts to transform unbelievers. (Romans 2:4, Colossians 2:11-12)
– Believers preach the gospel faithfully and rely on God’s power to convert hearers. (Romans 10:14-17)
– Hearing God’s word produces faith and exposes false teaching. (Romans 10:17, 2 Timothy 3:16-17)
– Persecution purifies and strengthens the church’s witness in the face of unbelief. (1 Peter 1:6-7)
– God will judge scoffers in the end and vindicate those who trusted in Jesus. (2 Peter 3:3-9)
– In heaven, there will be no more darkness, lies or unbelief. (Revelation 21:22-27)
Christ’s finished work spells doom for unbelief. While spiritual blindness currently grips millions worldwide, the day is coming when “every knee will bow and every tongue confess Jesus Christ is Lord.” (Philippians 2:10-11)
Conclusion
In closing, “unbeliever” is the Bible’s term for someone who rejects faith in Jesus Christ as the only Savior and Lord. This condition of unbelief has plagued humanity from ancient times, as people in rebellion prefer darkness over God’s light. Unbelief causes alienation from God and subjects people to His wrath. However, unbelievers can be rescued upon hearing and embracing the gospel in repentance and faith. While unbelief is a dangerous spiritual force, Jesus Christ has overcome the world through His death, resurrection and the gift of eternal life to all who believe. By God’s grace, unbelief is defeated for all those who put their trust in the Savior.