...Rom. 2:14: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rom. 2:14&version=NIV . Peace, IANABIAP (I am NOT a believer in any prophet.)
Hmm, it sounds to me that it is saying that unbelievers can still fulfill and work towards God's will even though they aren't directly aware of that will. It also seems to be saying that some people have the law written on their hearts, so to them, the Bible may not be necessary (not sure about this). Also, just because someone is AWARE of the law, awareness in of itself is not enough. One way to be a true to the law is to actually follow it through action and not by talking alone. So, those that are preaching about the law but do not follow it are less true than those that do not know the law by words, but follows them through actions and spirit. So you can have atheists that are following God's wills more so than those that merely say they do, but don't and that in the last days God will reveal who is truly following the law and those who are not. I would say that many atheists during the end times will be lifted up by God before many so-called Christians. In the end, I believe that it is saying that action is more important than just belief. In order to prove belief, there would have to be action.
It seems to be saying God gave mankind a innate sense of right and wrong, a conscience if you will, that we can use to guide our lives. But one needs to be careful seeing as the conscience can be corrupted. Tit 1:15
This is a consistent perspective with not everyone who says to me Lord, Lord shall enter..., and faith without works is dead. Also, the first shall become last and the last shall become first. As to the end, no one knows the hour yet it forever draws near. Love does not await time but invitation.
I wouldn't underestimate your capacity to express yourself. Your voice appears bright and clear, the commentary somehow dark and tortured, albeit concise and well oriented in its' own time and way. If contention is principle evil then that contention must be that there is an opposing will, that we have the knowledge of good and evil and are therefore like God, with the capacity to judge creation. Satin was a liar from the beginning, the knowledge of good and evil is not knowledge. Love is without condition and therefore beyond what can be taught. We were already like God in our capacity to name the animals, as we populate the world with the creatures we call up.
Very true. It's kind of sad seeing people who believe that they have a great relationship with God because they go to church and volunteer and all that, but who never really have a truly personal relationship with Him. I think we all start out that way, though.