And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. - John 3:14-18
OK - Have you read the full chapter of John 3? I mean really read it beyond embracing John 3:16. Let me see if I can paraphrase verses 14-18
God loves the world and wants mankind to be restored through faith in Jesus. Jesus who was lifted up on the cross for our sins, died and was resurrected by the power of the Father. When we place our trust in that truth which is a spiritual revelation from the Father, then we have eternal life. And so, people who do not put their faith in Jesus - are not born again by the Spirit - are already condemned.
In Psalm 51:5, David wrote, “Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.” David recognized that even at conception he was a sinner. When anyone is born, naturally, they are not spiritually fatherless. Because of what happened in the Garden, we are all born spiritually dead toward God - as children of the Devil.
Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and came from God; nor have I come of Myself, but He sent Me. Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word. You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. - John 8:42-44
Now - we don't want to think that. We want to imagine that we are perhaps somehow neutral, spiritually speaking, up to some age and then we are accountable for our sin.
"It is possible that God applies Christ’s payment for sin to young children and others incapable of faith, but the Bible does not specifically say that He does this. Therefore, this is a subject about which we should not be dogmatic. God’s extending grace to those who cannot believe would seem consistent with His character. [A reasonable] position [might be] that God does apply Christ’s payment for sin to babies and those who are mentally handicapped, since they are incapable of understanding their sinful state and their need for the Savior." - that is a quote from Got Questions Ministries (but again - "the Bible does not specifically say that He does this")
With respect to accountability for sin, I suppose the takeaway is that those who are not born again spiritually are already charged as being guilty. One day they will hear the "strike of the gavel" and their sentencing and that will happen at the Great White Throne Judgement. But the lost don't know it. I am certain that you are comfortable with your understanding of the verses in "Romans that tell us that "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." "There are none righteous no not one" There is no exception in either verse. All means all. None means none.
We must be careful about interjecting what we hope to be true into what we know is Biblical truth. Jesus told Nicodemus - "You must be born again". When you are born again your "name' is written in the Lamb's Book of Life. Those whose names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life, have already received a pardon and will not be judged on that day. Hallelujah. Thank You Jesus!
Does it bother you that people are headed for hell but don't know it or perhaps accept it? Did you know that as a Christian God has entrusted you with the Gospel - the good news of salvation through faith in Jesus? And that is a serious responsibility and must not be ignored or diminished.
But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts. - 2 Thessalonians 2:4
That is not to say that you should stand on a street corner with a sign saying "Turn or burn!" but you should be praying for those who are not Christians - starting with those who are close to you. Share your testimony about the difference that God has made in your life. And, of course, share the Gospel - planting seeds.
Sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear -1 Peter 3:15
Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.
By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone
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