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When something bad happens to unbelievers they think God must be punishing  them,

But we Who know Jesus know their is a difference between puishment and a God who loves us so much he does correct us. We also know the  bad things that God permits in our life brings us closer to Jesus . and God in the end works even the bad out to our good.


But some one who doesnt know Jesus was punished for their sin to.
really doesnt know God They  look upon him out of duty to the law they owe him and know they failed it so he must be punishing them.


they dont understand


The law came through Moses but GOD'S Grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.



John 1:17
For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.


Romans 6
Dead to Sin, Alive in Christ
1What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? 2By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? 3Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?

Why would an unbeliever think God is punishing them?

Quote from: ex cathedra on Tue Feb 24, 2009 - 19:42:40
When something bad happens to unbelievers they think God must be punishing  them...

What??  That's ridiculous.  A "unbeliever," as you put it, wouldn't even consider that option as a reason for their problems.  That sounds more like an excuse used by those who claim to be believers, but expect their lives to be successful and furfilling in exchange for believing.

Reality check: It doesn't work that way.

Quote from: HRoberson on Tue Feb 24, 2009 - 21:00:48
Why would an unbeliever think God is punishing them?

Because sometimes He is. Sometimes sin gets in the way, and He needs to get our attention. Sometimes He is just using trials to strengthen our faith. Sometimes He uses them to bring glory to Himself as we praise Him while in our trials and tribulations.

Quote from: Jon-Marc on Wed Feb 25, 2009 - 10:16:53

Quote from: HRoberson on Tue Feb 24, 2009 - 21:00:48
Why would an unbeliever think God is punishing them?

Because sometimes He is. Sometimes sin gets in the way, and He needs to get our attention. Sometimes He is just using trials to strengthen our faith. Sometimes He uses them to bring glory to Himself as we praise Him while in our trials and tribulations.

By definition, an "unbeliever" is someone who doesn't believe that.

Quote from: OneLung on Wed Feb 25, 2009 - 10:20:30

Quote from: Jon-Marc on Wed Feb 25, 2009 - 10:16:53

Quote from: HRoberson on Tue Feb 24, 2009 - 21:00:48
Why would an unbeliever think God is punishing them?

Because sometimes He is. Sometimes sin gets in the way, and He needs to get our attention. Sometimes He is just using trials to strengthen our faith. Sometimes He uses them to bring glory to Himself as we praise Him while in our trials and tribulations.

By definition, an "unbeliever" is someone who doesn't believe that.

Maybe not that, but they believe that they don't believe which makes them a believer of unbelief. LOL

Quote from: OneLung on Wed Feb 25, 2009 - 06:55:11

Quote from: ex cathedra on Tue Feb 24, 2009 - 19:42:40
When something bad happens to unbelievers they think God must be punishing  them...

What??  That's ridiculous.  A "unbeliever," as you put it, wouldn't even consider that option as a reason for their problems.  That sounds more like an excuse used by those who claim to be believers, but expect their lives to be successful and furfilling in exchange for believing.

Reality check: It doesn't work that way.

agreed

Quote from: HRoberson on Tue Feb 24, 2009 - 21:00:48
Why would an unbeliever think God is punishing them?

because only a fool says in his heart there is no God.

Quote from: ex cathedra on Wed Feb 25, 2009 - 14:34:55

Quote from: HRoberson on Tue Feb 24, 2009 - 21:00:48
Why would an unbeliever think God is punishing them?

because only a fool says in his heart there is no God.

I am sure that everyone here shares that opinion. But your original post is still erroneous. A non-believer would no more blame his problems on God then he would Unicorns. Of course, it's probably not wise for a believer to blame his problems on God either.

Quote from: OneLung on Wed Feb 25, 2009 - 10:20:30

Quote from: Jon-Marc on Wed Feb 25, 2009 - 10:16:53

Quote from: HRoberson on Tue Feb 24, 2009 - 21:00:48
Why would an unbeliever think God is punishing them?

Because sometimes He is. Sometimes sin gets in the way, and He needs to get our attention. Sometimes He is just using trials to strengthen our faith. Sometimes He uses them to bring glory to Himself as we praise Him while in our trials and tribulations.

By definition, an "unbeliever" is someone who doesn't believe that.

a unbeliever is simply some one who doesnt know God .

i will let Luther explain it.

"Know" Jesus "Know" God

"no" Jesus "no" God

Martin luther





only a fool who is a unbeliever says in their heart there is no God .

IMO, that's just meaningless semantics.

Quote from: OneLung on Wed Feb 25, 2009 - 14:58:12
IMO, that's just meaningless semantics.

Not to every one.
but yes for most of the world.

Quote from: ex cathedra on Wed Feb 25, 2009 - 14:34:55

Quote from: HRoberson on Tue Feb 24, 2009 - 21:00:48
Why would an unbeliever think God is punishing them?

because only a fool says in his heart there is no God.

What?

Quote from: HRoberson on Wed Feb 25, 2009 - 16:40:53

Quote from: ex cathedra on Wed Feb 25, 2009 - 14:34:55

Quote from: HRoberson on Tue Feb 24, 2009 - 21:00:48
Why would an unbeliever think God is punishing them?

because only a fool says in his heart there is no God.

What?

Agreed. It Confused me too.

Quote from: OneLung on Wed Feb 25, 2009 - 10:20:30

Quote from: Jon-Marc on Wed Feb 25, 2009 - 10:16:53

Quote from: HRoberson on Tue Feb 24, 2009 - 21:00:48
Why would an unbeliever think God is punishing them?

Because sometimes He is. Sometimes sin gets in the way, and He needs to get our attention. Sometimes He is just using trials to strengthen our faith. Sometimes He uses them to bring glory to Himself as we praise Him while in our trials and tribulations.

By definition, an "unbeliever" is someone who doesn't believe that.

Sorry, I didn't read that closely enough. I thought it said "believers".  Yes, why would someone who doesn't believe in God blame Him for anything?

Quote from: Jon-Marc on Thu Feb 26, 2009 - 10:19:36

Quote from: OneLung on Wed Feb 25, 2009 - 10:20:30

Quote from: Jon-Marc on Wed Feb 25, 2009 - 10:16:53

Quote from: HRoberson on Tue Feb 24, 2009 - 21:00:48
Why would an unbeliever think God is punishing them?

Because sometimes He is. Sometimes sin gets in the way, and He needs to get our attention. Sometimes He is just using trials to strengthen our faith. Sometimes He uses them to bring glory to Himself as we praise Him while in our trials and tribulations.

By definition, an "unbeliever" is someone who doesn't believe that.

Sorry, I didn't read that closely enough. I thought it said "believers".  Yes, why would someone who doesn't believe in God blame Him for anything?

psalm 53:1

The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, and their ways are vile; there is no one who does good.

But getting back to the original statement you made " when something bad happens to unbelievers why do they think God is punishing them" the fact remains that if they are unbelievers, they don't believe in God. They can't / won't be likely to blame someone they don't believe in.
The people that I know best that don't believe in God are asking the question " If there is a God, why does he let bad things happen to good people?'  My husband and father in law love asking that question. Even after my trying to explain that it's not like that, they still don't get it. It's complicated when they aren't that interested in the answers!!