Are agnosticism and atheism just honest mistakes? What are the consequences of unbelief? How serious does God view people's failure to believe and obey Him?
Many people do not seem to seriously consider the consequences of believing in God versus disbelieving. Consider some quotations from agnostics: *
Henry Louis Mencken – “…if I have been wrong in my agnosticism, when I die I'll walk up to God in a manly way and say, ‘Sir, I made an honest mistake.’”
Francois Mitterand, French president who was a socialist and an agnostic, was asked what God might say to him if he went to heaven. He responded: “God would say, ‘At last, you know.’ And I would hope that He would add, ‘Welcome.’”
A prayer attributed in various forms to Bertrand Russell: “O God, if there is a God, save my soul, if I have a soul, from hell, if there be a hell.”
Others are not so blatant but they see no need for religion because they think they are good enough morally that God should accept them, if God exists.
Bible Statements about the Importance of Faith
Mark 16:16 – He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.
John 8:24 – Jesus said, “If you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.”
Hebrews 11:6 – But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
Failure to believe in God is not just an honest mistake!
Bible Statements about the Importance of Obedient Service
God created us to serve Him obediently. Unbelievers fail to accomplish the purpose for which they exist. The Bible calls this sin. Consider the consequence of disobedience.
Romans 3:23 – All of us at times sin and fall short of the glory of God. Nobody is “good enough” to make up for the things we have done wrong.
Romans 6:23 – The consequence of sin is eternal death unless we are forgiven of our sins by the sacrifice of Jesus. But to receive this forgiveness requires faith.
Romans 1:20 – For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse. By observing the world around us anyone can know God exists. So there is no excuse for those who claim not to know.
Romans 1:16 – The gospel of Christ is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes. God has revealed His will in the Scriptures so anyone can know to believe and obey.
John 20:30,31 – And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.
Conclusion
Failure to believe is not just an “honest mistake” like taking the wrong turn when traveling.
A better illustration would be like a man who jumps off a skyscraper thinking, if he is mistaken, it is just an “honest mistake” and somehow he can work it out after he lands! There are serious consequences to being wrong, and after he jumps it is too late to solve the problem.
The time to investigate the consequences for jumping off a skyscraper is before you jump. And the time to find out the consequences of not serving God is before you face Him in judgment.
God has given abundant evidence so you can know that He exists and what you should do to serve Him. The time to investigate and respond is now while you are still alive here on earth.
* http://atheisme.free.fr/Quotes/Agnosticism.htm
(c) Copyright David E. Pratte, 2024; gospelway.com
