Born Again Atheists?

Born Again Atheists?

Thirty years ago, a friend of mine had a large and successful ministry, and today he is an atheist. He is actually a kinder, calmer person than he used to be.

2 Peter 1:9 is sometimes used to teach that a genuine Christian can become an atheist. "For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins."

In researching the verse, I noticed that the next verse says:

"Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble;" It seems that Peter is warning them that if they aren't diligent about making their calling and election sure, they could forget that they were purged from their old sins.

I would appreciate intelligent comments on this passage.
 
I would like to read some other input on this also, but to be even more diligent brings to mind 2 Pet 1:5-7. Therefore our calling and election (being effectual according to the purpose of God) should be approved by those fruits (2 Pet 1:5-7) confirmed in us - giving evedence of being consecrated to the service of God and not self. The word "sure" (beb'-ah-yos) has the meaning of Firm, stable or solid and we should hold fast to the grace we have received by adding to our faith virtue, knowledge, temperance, etc. Therefor we should be diligent to work out our own salvation, through the grace which we have already received from God. Those who do not these things shall fall (ptaiō), that is, (figuratively) to err, sin, fail - fall, offend, stumble. & in doing so, i suppose we could forget that we were purged from our old sins.

one's faith ceasing to work by love and the evidence of things not seen would grieved the Holy Spirit by not showing forth the virtues (2 Pet 1:5-7) of Him who called one into His marvelous light.
 
Thirty years ago, a friend of mine had a large and successful ministry, and today he is an atheist. He is actually a kinder, calmer person than he used to be.

i can understand this ,people being used is the devils way,he wants to prove the opposite of Christs words.
he is just a pawn in satans war.
 
He is actually a kinder, calmer person than he used to be.

That is not possible. Biblically speaking, I mean.

For there are no calmer, kinder people than Christians. For Christians are:

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works

2 Tim 3:16-17

So Christians are made perfect by being furnished w/ ALL good works by the scriptures.
How can atheists be calmer, kinder if they don't even believe in the bible?

2 Peter 1:9 is sometimes used to teach that a genuine Christian can become an atheist. "For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins."
With that one, I agree completely :)

For there are Christians who have turned away from the commandment given to them:

For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.
But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.

2 Pet 2:22

Actually some atheists are better than those people who claim to be Christians but in truth, they deny God in their works:

They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.

Titus 1:16
 
Thirty years ago, a friend of mine had a large and successful ministry, and today he is an atheist. He is actually a kinder, calmer person than he used to be.

2 Peter 1:9 is sometimes used to teach that a genuine Christian can become an atheist. "For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins."

In researching the verse, I noticed that the next verse says:

"Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble;" It seems that Peter is warning them that if they aren't diligent about making their calling and election sure, they could forget that they were purged from their old sins.

I would appreciate intelligent comments on this passage.

Some people just think they are saved but never were. And some who are in the ministry are not saved and don't know it. But even those who are, if they do not want to continue to follow the Lord, then they have the right to turn from the Lord, and many have.
 
For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.
But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.
2 Pet 2:22

That's an appropriate verse John. But very sad. I know of a group of atheists who are very different and try to be good people, do good things. They're even respectful toward others. The only thing they leave out is God, so they are like all others who are good people who even believe in God, but feel being a Christian is not for them, so don't follow Him. The only way an atheist can be calmer, is they are deceived and do no realize where they are headed for eternity. We never really know what is going on inside a person, for many are good at hiding it.
 
That is not possible. Biblically speaking, I mean.

For there are no calmer, kinder people than Christians. For Christians are:

I don't know if I agree with this.

Yes, Biblically speaking Christians should be the calmer, kinder people, but I know many who aren't very kind or calm.

It's one thing to accept Jesus as Savior. It's another thing to accept Him as Lord.

Many people accept Jesus as their Savior, but they never let Him become their Lord.

They love Him, but they have a difficult time trusting that He really does know what is best.

They get impatient when things in their lives get rough and instead of waiting on Him to fix things they take matters into their own hands. And, usually they mess things up worse than before. (I speak from personal experience on that one).

Yes, Jesus is their Savior, and they will go to Heaven when they die. However, they have a very difficult time letting Him be Lord over their lives. This causes frustration, panic, and unkindness.

confused03.jpg
 
I don't know if I agree with this.

Yes, Biblically speaking Christians should be the calmer, kinder people, but I know many who aren't very kind or calm.

It's one thing to accept Jesus as Savior. It's another thing to accept Him as Lord.

Many people accept Jesus as their Savior, but they never let Him become their Lord.

They love Him, but they have a difficult time trusting that He really does know what is best.

They get impatient when things in their lives get rough and instead of waiting on Him to fix things they take matters into their own hands. And, usually they mess things up worse than before. (I speak from personal experience on that one).

Yes, Jesus is their Savior, and they will go to Heaven when they die. However, they have a very difficult time letting Him be Lord over their lives. This causes frustration, panic, and unkindness.

confused03.jpg

I bolded the part that you said which is entirely true . I know a lot of so called Christians who do not exhibit the fruit of the Spirit . And sadly they are right in the church . It is so true that we only know people the way they display themselves but do not see them behind closed doors .

How do I know that ? Well throughout my life I have experienced it in my inlaws who went to church shouting and praising the Lord and sitting in the front seat so people could see them . But I am sorry to say their lives throughout the week did not show the same spirit. I like to call these Christians : Christians in name only .

Even some of my Christian friends fly off the handle if something is said that they take personally and now I know those and try to avoid them .

Don't get me wrong , I am not perfect by any means and am not judging but merely pointing out facts. God isn't finished with me yet.
 
I just found this story that might be interesting .

The Atheist

There was an atheist who went through life like most people. He had his good times and his bad. He died at an old age of 88. He woke up and saw a man standing in front of him. He said, "Who are you?" The man said, "Well, Joe, it doesn't matter now, you didn't know me while you were on the earth and it's too late for you to know me now." Joe said, "Just tell me your name, maybe I did know you and I just don't remember." The man said, "Well, Joe, my name is Jesus and I'm the one who died for you." Joe said, "What? You aren't real -- there is no God. How can this be?"

Jesus said, "Joe, do you remember the day you met your wife?" Joe said, "Well of course I do. It was the day she ran into the back of my car on the freeway and I got out to yell at her. Of course I didn't, instead I fell in love with her." Jesus said, "Joe, I made sure your wife ran into your car that day." Joe couldn't say a word. Jesus said, "Joe, do you remember the time you were at work and on top of that tall building?

You fell that day and if you had fallen to the ground you would have died." Joe said, "Yeah, but I didn't fall." Jesus said, "No you didn't because I sent one of my angels to catch you." Joe couldn't say a word. Jesus said, "Joe, do you remember the day your baby girl was born?"

Joe said, "Well of course I do, that was one of the best days of my life!" Jesus said, "I held that baby girl close to me before I sent her to you hoping you would see that beautiful creation and believe in me. I sent Christians to witness to you but you would not listen. I did everything I could possibly do to make you believe in me but you would not."

Joe said, "Jesus, please let me go back just one time so I can tell everyone the truth!" Jesus said, "Joe, I am sorry but it is too late. Depart from me, I never knew you."
____________
by RITA WOOD

 
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