Atheist and their acts/values

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Jesus4ever

Senior Member
May 18, 2015
783
19
18
#1
Hi, dear brethren.

I´ve been thinking about one particular subject, recently. I have friends that define themselves as atheists. They say they don´t believe in God, some even say it´s a nonsense. However, some of them have several values that certainly please God: kindness, humility, desire to help those who need, loyalty, etc.

Every time I can, I share the gospel with them. Some react well, others not so well. I´d love to see them saved!

My questions:
- Does God dwell, somehow, in them, also?
- Could they be potential christians, due to their values?



God bless you!
 

nowyouseem033

Senior Member
Jul 17, 2014
535
30
28
#2
Just because someone has good values or morals doesn't mean they are christian.

and if God did dwell in them then it would be evidence by a profession of faith in Christ.

Thats awesome that you are sharing the gospel with them and certainly encouraging, but one of the distinctives of the Christian faith in order for someone to be saved, is that they repent of there sins and believe and put trust in Christ. If they do not do this then they cannot in anyway be a christian or have God dwelling inside them.
 
Aug 16, 2016
2,184
62
0
#3
God only dwells with his people. He does not dwell with those who reject him. An individuals values doesn't make them Christians.
 

Magenta

Senior Member
Jul 3, 2015
55,249
25,719
113
#4
God desires for everyone to be saved, and He promises in His revealed written Word that those who sincerely seek will find, and that He will reveal Himself to those who love and obey Him. Jesus came to seek and to save the lost, and atheists certainly qualify, regardless of their moral values or "good deeds" which are as filthy rags in the eyes of God in terms of salvation. Only the atoning righteous blood of Jesus Christ can save them, for all are born into the physical under Adam in need of a Spiritual rebirth in Jesus Christ, Who is the second Adam. He went to the cross for us to show His great love for the whole world.

It is the Holy Spirit of God Who acts upon a person to convict them of their need of Jesus. Jesus started His earthly ministry calling people to repentance and belief. The problem for many atheists is that they have been so blinded by the god of this world that they are convinced that the Bible is nonsense, and that Christians are essentially believing in fairy tales. Since atheists have not experienced God in any way that they recognize or are willing/able to understand as God, they believe we are delusional to say we have experienced God. They think we only believe because we were brought up to believe. They want to tell us what we should believe instead while telling us we only believe because we were told what to believe. They do not think we are capable of thinking for ourselves. They believe themselves to be superior in rational thinking and logic, and more intelligent. These all show their pride of life. It is a monstrous hurdle for them, but again, all things are possible with God. We were all born dead to God in need of Spiritual rebirth.

Romans chapter one makes plain that they have suppressed the knowledge of Truth. Your friends are as Adam and Eve exchanging the Truth for a lie at the behest of Satan, whom they embrace whole heartedly. They cling to their sense of superiority and probably even blame religion for most if not all the woes of the world. Christianity is usually highest on the list of offenses against humanity that need to be eradicated in the minds of such people. They have a lot to overcome that can only be overcome by surrendering to Him Whom they oppose, defy, and rebel against. Jesus has overcome the world.

Of course they think it impossible to rebel against Someone they do not believe exists in the first place. Agnostics will even tell you that it is impossible to know whether or not God exists, and they extend that to you as well and say you cannot know either. This too is in direct contradiction to what Scriptures tell us. Many come to believe the Bible only after multiple encounters with God. Atheists would say instead that we believe in God because of the Bible when in fact it is the other way around.

You are a blessing in the lives of your friends. They are not beyond hope. Keep fighting the good fight, and expressing the Truth of God's Word to them, and showing the love of Jesus Christ as you can. No effort on your part in this regard will be wasted, even if it takes a really long time to see any kind of result. You may not even see a result. A Christian friend of mine gave me a Bible when I was a non-believer seven years before I was moved to belief. I never would have thought it possible, and she was joyfully incredulous when it happened as well. She joked to the pastor when I was being baptised at the age of forty nine, "Hold her down a long time, she has a lot of sins to wash away!" Ah, such fond memories. :D

Blessings to you as you continue to encourage your friends to seek the Truth. :)





 

Jesus4ever

Senior Member
May 18, 2015
783
19
18
#5
God desires for everyone to be saved, and He promises in His revealed written Word that those who sincerely seek will find, and that He will reveal Himself to those who love and obey Him. Jesus came to seek and to save the lost, and atheists certainly qualify, regardless of their moral values or "good deeds" which are as filthy rags in the eyes of God in terms of salvation. Only the atoning righteous blood of Jesus Christ can save them, for all are born into the physical under Adam in need of a Spiritual rebirth in Jesus Christ, Who is the second Adam. He went to the cross for us to show His great love for the whole world.

It is the Holy Spirit of God Who acts upon a person to convict them of their need of Jesus. Jesus started His earthly ministry calling people to repentance and belief. The problem for many atheists is that they have been so blinded by the god of this world that they are convinced that the Bible is nonsense, and that Christians are essentially believing in fairy tales. Since atheists have not experienced God in any way that they recognize or are willing/able to understand as God, they believe we are delusional to say we have experienced God. They think we only believe because we were brought up to believe. They want to tell us what we should believe instead while telling us we only believe because we were told what to believe. They do not think we are capable of thinking for ourselves. They believe themselves to be superior in rational thinking and logic, and more intelligent. These all show their pride of life. It is a monstrous hurdle for them, but again, all things are possible with God. We were all born dead to God in need of Spiritual rebirth.

Romans chapter one makes plain that they have suppressed the knowledge of Truth. Your friends are as Adam and Eve exchanging the Truth for a lie at the behest of Satan, whom they embrace whole heartedly. They cling to their sense of superiority and probably even blame religion for most if not all the woes of the world. Christianity is usually highest on the list of offenses against humanity that need to be eradicated in the minds of such people. They have a lot to overcome that can only be overcome by surrendering to Him Whom they oppose, defy, and rebel against. Jesus has overcome the world.

Of course they think it impossible to rebel against Someone they do not believe exists in the first place. Agnostics will even tell you that it is impossible to know whether or not God exists, and they extend that to you as well and say you cannot know either. This too is in direct contradiction to what Scriptures tell us. Many come to believe the Bible only after multiple encounters with God. Atheists would say instead that we believe in God because of the Bible when in fact it is the other way around.

You are a blessing in the lives of your friends. They are not beyond hope. Keep fighting the good fight, and expressing the Truth of God's Word to them, and showing the love of Jesus Christ as you can. No effort on your part in this regard will be wasted, even if it takes a really long time to see any kind of result. You may not even see a result. A Christian friend of mine gave me a Bible when I was a non-believer seven years before I was moved to belief. I never would have thought it possible, and she was joyfully incredulous when it happened as well. She joked to the pastor when I was being baptised at the age of forty nine, "Hold her down a long time, she has a lot of sins to wash away!" Ah, such fond memories. :D

Blessings to you as you continue to encourage your friends to seek the Truth. :)





Great post, dear sister! :) I thank God for your conversion, and I thank you for your kind words.
 

Jesus4ever

Senior Member
May 18, 2015
783
19
18
#6
God only dwells with his people. He does not dwell with those who reject him. An individuals values doesn't make them Christians.
Yes, that´s correct. Values don´t make people Christians. That´s why I wrote "potential Christians". None of them is a Christian, but could they ever be, due to their values and acts? That was the what I meant to ask, with that question. :)
 

Jesus4ever

Senior Member
May 18, 2015
783
19
18
#7
Just because someone has good values or morals doesn't mean they are christian.

and if God did dwell in them then it would be evidence by a profession of faith in Christ.

Thats awesome that you are sharing the gospel with them and certainly encouraging, but one of the distinctives of the Christian faith in order for someone to be saved, is that they repent of there sins and believe and put trust in Christ. If they do not do this then they cannot in anyway be a christian or have God dwelling inside them.
Yes, brother. I would be extremely happy for them if they could see God´s Light and come to Him!
 

Magenta

Senior Member
Jul 3, 2015
55,249
25,719
113
#8
Great post, dear sister! :) I thank God for your conversion, and I thank you for your kind words.
You are ever so very much welcome! Jesus stands at the door and knocks at the heart of every person. If your friends have any sense of Jesus being special in any way perhaps you could emphasize that. All are called to the cross in one way or another. Atheists also have the strike against them that they are often dead set against anything "spiritual." Their preconceived ideas have set their minds in prejudice against the Truth of God's Word even though they believe themselves to be open minded, no doubt. It was such a shock to me when as a relatively new Christian I started conversing with atheists online. I was never an atheist, but I still understood much about them and their mindset from my own rebellion and hard heartedness and hard headedness toward God. We can now affirm that we love God because He first loved us, and that Jesus is still in the business of seeking and saving the lost :) Hallelujah and praise be to God for sending His Son to show His great love for us!

Thank you also for your very kind words! Blessings to you.

 

CS1

Well-known member
May 23, 2012
12,170
4,000
113
#9
Hi, dear brethren.

I´ve been thinking about one particular subject, recently. I have friends that define themselves as atheists. They say they don´t believe in God, some even say it´s a nonsense. However, some of them have several values that certainly please God: kindness, humility, desire to help those who need, loyalty, etc.



Every time I can, I share the gospel with them. Some react well, others not so well. I´d love to see them saved!

My questions:
- Does God dwell, somehow, in them, also?
- Could they be potential christians, due to their values?



God bless you!

Very interesting question. According to Roman 1 God has revealed Himself in such away that we (all) are without excuses to HIS existence. Now as the bible says "our righteousness is Filthy rags in HIS sight". Therefore we all have to come to the saving grace by way of the Cross. there are no exceptions. All are potential to be saved "if they come to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ as John 3:16-18 speaks about. If our values are seen as what God will accept over the Blood of Christ that is not what the bible teaches.
 
Feb 7, 2015
22,418
413
0
#10
Yes, that´s correct. Values don´t make people Christians. That´s why I wrote "potential Christians". None of them is a Christian, but could they ever be, due to their values and acts? That was the what I meant to ask, with that question. :)
Yes, they could be... but NOT because of their values, morals, or acts. IT WILL ONLY, ALWAYS BE BECAUSE OF TRUST IN JESUS' WORK.
 

Jesus4ever

Senior Member
May 18, 2015
783
19
18
#11
You are ever so very much welcome! Jesus stands at the door and knocks at the heart of every person. If your friends have any sense of Jesus being special in any way perhaps you could emphasize that. All are called to the cross in one way or another. Atheists also have the strike against them that they are often dead set against anything "spiritual." Their preconceived ideas have set their minds in prejudice against the Truth of God's Word even though they believe themselves to be open minded, no doubt. It was such a shock to me when as a relatively new Christian I started conversing with atheists online. I was never an atheist, but I still understood much about them and their mindset from my own rebellion and hard heartedness and hard headedness toward God. We can now affirm that we love God because He first loved us, and that Jesus is still in the business of seeking and saving the lost :) Hallelujah and praise be to God for sending His Son to show His great love for us!

Thank you also for your very kind words! Blessings to you.

Amen, sister! :)

May God bless you!
 

Jesus4ever

Senior Member
May 18, 2015
783
19
18
#12
Very interesting question. According to Roman 1 God has revealed Himself in such away that we (all) are without excuses to HIS existence. Now as the bible says "our righteousness is Filthy rags in HIS sight". Therefore we all have to come to the saving grace by way of the Cross. there are no exceptions. All are potential to be saved "if they come to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ as John 3:16-18 speaks about. If our values are seen as what God will accept over the Blood of Christ that is not what the bible teaches.
I see your point, brother! I´ll continue to share the Gospel the best I can. Sometimes it´s hard, but I believe it´s supposed to be like that.


Blessings!
 

CS1

Well-known member
May 23, 2012
12,170
4,000
113
#13
I see your point, brother! I´ll continue to share the Gospel the best I can. Sometimes it´s hard, but I believe it´s supposed to be like that.


Blessings!
remember the Word of God is able to reach them :) Paul said I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus christ for it is the POWER OF GOD unto salvation. Nothing can withstand the POWER of God . Keep them in prayer live the life before them and watch God work :)
 
Last edited:

lastofall

Senior Member
Aug 26, 2014
609
38
28
#14
[for me anyway] it is irrelevant how well behaved an unbeliever seems, the Lord Jesus Christ tells us that "he that believeth not is condemned already": the only thing that can change this is if they repent and believe the Gospel.

As for atheists, if they would be honest with themselves, instead of saying "I'm an atheist" they should instead say the word which atheist means: from the Greek "atheos" meaning "godless"; so they ought to say "I am godless"; but guess what, they won't say that, because it doesn't sound good.

Just to mention a point of the matter.
 

Jesus4ever

Senior Member
May 18, 2015
783
19
18
#15
remember the Word of God is able to reach them :) Paul said I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus christ for it is the POWER OF GOD unto salvation. Nothing can withstand the POWER of God . Keep them in prayer live the life before them and watch God work :)

Amen, brother! Thank you!
 

Jesus4ever

Senior Member
May 18, 2015
783
19
18
#16
[for me anyway] it is irrelevant how well behaved an unbeliever seems, the Lord Jesus Christ tells us that "he that believeth not is condemned already": the only thing that can change this is if they repent and believe the Gospel.

As for atheists, if they would be honest with themselves, instead of saying "I'm an atheist" they should instead say the word which atheist means: from the Greek "atheos" meaning "godless"; so they ought to say "I am godless"; but guess what, they won't say that, because it doesn't sound good.

Just to mention a point of the matter.

That´s a fact...
 
Jan 27, 2015
2,690
367
83
#17
Hi, dear brethren.

I´ve been thinking about one particular subject, recently. I have friends that define themselves as atheists. They say they don´t believe in God, some even say it´s a nonsense. However, some of them have several values that certainly please God: kindness, humility, desire to help those who need, loyalty, etc.

Every time I can, I share the gospel with them. Some react well, others not so well. I´d love to see them saved!

My questions:
- Does God dwell, somehow, in them, also?
- Could they be potential christians, due to their values?




God bless you!
God does not dwell in atheists.

However, they (and anyone) are potential Christians. Not due to values, but just because anyone can be saved. Keep sharing the Gospel as you are doing. You'll be planting seeds. :)
 

Magenta

Senior Member
Jul 3, 2015
55,249
25,719
113
#18
Paul, under inspiration of the Holy Spirit, plainly said, "Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God" (1 Cor. 2:12). This thought is echoed in Ephesians 2:2 where reference is made to "walking according to the course of this world." Throughout Scripture the "world" is presented as the enemy of God and His people. "Know ye not the friendship of the world is enmity with God?" (James 4:4). Repeatedly, we are warned about the "spirit of the world," the "course of this world," and the dangers of friendship with the world system.

From an interesting read on "the spirit of this age."

The spirit of this age

Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world: the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes and the pride of life is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof; but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. [SIZE=+2](1 John 2:15-17).[/SIZE]
 
Jan 27, 2013
4,769
18
0
#19
Hi, dear brethren.

I´ve been thinking about one particular subject, recently. I have friends that define themselves as atheists. They say they don´t believe in God, some even say it´s a nonsense. However, some of them have several values that certainly please God: kindness, humility, desire to help those who need, loyalty, etc.

Every time I can, I share the gospel with them. Some react well, others not so well. I´d love to see them saved!

My questions:
- Does God dwell, somehow, in them, also?
- Could they be potential christians, due to their values?



God bless you!
the parable of the sower ,has many meanings. one of these is echoed in your post.

in simple terms, if you don t speak , how can anything be sown. etc

Matthew 13: The Parable of the Sower
1 That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea.2 And great crowds gathered about him, so that he got into a boat and sat down. And the whole crowd stood on the beach.3 And he told them many things in parables, saying: "A sower went out to sow.4 And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them.5 Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil,6 but when the sun rose they were scorched. And since they had no root, they withered away.7 Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them.8 Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.9 He who has ears, let him hear."Matthew 13: The Parable of the Sower


The Parable of the Sower Explained
18 "Hear then the parable of the sower:19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path.20 As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy,21 yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away.22 As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful.23 As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.Matthew 13
 
E

eph610

Guest
#20
It has been our experience when speaking to Atheists, that at one time they were exposed to Jesus Christ, the Bible and the church as a whole. Sadly and this is a true statement most Atheists know the Bible better than some self proclaimed Christians.

We also have encountered Atheists that became that way, because they rejected God due to hurt and offense. I also have encountered many that turned from God due to theistic evolutionists getting inside their head.

Most of the Atheists we have encountered are good, decent and very moral people, but that will not get you to Jesus.

The Atheists we see that are very militant are usually also very strong secular humanists, like Richard Dawkins, the Late Christopher Hitchens, not agnostic secular humanists like Sam Harris.

Militant Atheists like Dawkins also do not believe in the powers of darkness or Satan. That is usually the first way to discern a true Atheist...They do not believe in any spiritual form of authority...and that is the next point. Virtually all Atheists reject authority over their life and by doing so make themselves a god unto themselves.

As CS1 already stated Romans 1 tells us we are all have no excuse because God has made himself known to everyone....