A Bible lesson by Ivor Jefferies
1. How does God show his goodness to unbelievers in the following areas:
- Creation? Gen. 8:22, Ps. 145:9, 15-16, Matt. 5:45, Acts 14:16-17, 17:25b-26.
- Morality and religion? 1 Kings 21:27-29, 2 Kings 13:2-6, 22-23, Luke 6:32-34, John 1:9, Rom. 1:19-20, 2:14-15, Heb. 6:4-5, 1 Tim. 4:10.
- Family and society? Gen. 4:17, 9:6, Luke 16:8, 1-7, Acts 5:34-39, 22:3, Rom. 13:1-7.
Some strict Calvinists argue that God does not love those who will finally perish, but this is an error (Ezek. 18:32, Matt. 5:44-45, Mark 10:21, Luke 13:34, 19:41-42, John 3:16).
2. How do unbelievers typically react to the goodness that God shows them?
Read Exo. 16:7-9, 17:3, Num. 11:4-6, Dan. 4:30, 5:23c, Rom. 1:21-31.
3. How do unbelievers benefit from the presence of believers in the family, workplace and society?
Read Gen. 18:32, 20:7, 30:27, 39:3-6, 21-23, Jer. 29:7, Matt. 5:13-16, 44, Acts 27:22-25, 1 Cor. 7:14, 1 Tim. 2:1-2.
In his book, How Christianity Changed the World, Alvin Schmidt ably proves that where the gospel flourishes, society as a whole benefits. The sanctity of human life is elevated, marriage is honoured, women are treated with dignity, the poor and aged are cared for, sick people get the help they need, children respect their elders since they are taught a biblical worldview, the economy is strong, there is liberty and justice for all, art and music are objectively beautiful according to God as the supreme standard.
About a century before Schmidt, J.C. Ryle said, “I invite any honest-minded reader to look at a map of the world, and see what a story that map tells. Which are the countries on the face of the globe at this moment where there is the greatest amount of idolatry, or cruelty, or tyranny, or impurity, or misgovernment, or disregard of life and liberty and truth? Precisely those countries where the Bible is not known…Which are the countries where liberty, and public and private morality have attained the highest pitch? The countries where the Bible is free to all…Yes! when you know how a nation deals with the Bible, you may generally know what a nation is.”1
4. What is God’s purpose in showing his goodness to unbelievers?
Read Luke 6:35-36, Acts 17:27-28, Rom. 1:20b, 2:4, 2 Pet. 3:9.
Although God’s general goodness of sunshine and rain, food and drink cannot save anyone, it often becomes the occasion by which sinners are brought to the Saviour. I can testify to this as God placed me in a country where the Bible was freely taught in schools and churches. God gave me parents who taught me the Bible. He sent a boy to my school who invited me to a gospel-preaching church. Thus God, through his general kindness of government, family, and friends, lead me to repentance.
5. How should you respond to God’s general goodness in life?
Read Phil. 2:14-15, 4:11-13, 1 Tim. 4:3-5.
1 https://www.biblebb.com/files/ryle/inspiration.htm