Dictionary of Bible Themes A lack of faith and obedience to God, which is seen especially in the lives of unbelievers. However, Scripture makes clear that believers can occasionally lapse into faithlessness towards God. Psalms 101:3-5; 119:158Faithlessness among the ungodly See also In their character and lifestyle Psalms 10:4; 14:1John 16:8-9 2 Thessalonians 3:2 Titus 1:15-16 1 Samuel 25:2-3 Examples of faithless men Esther 3:5-6Nabal Matthew 2:16Haman Acts 19:23-27Herod the Great Jeremiah 12:1Demetrius See also The faithless appear to prosper Job 21:7Psalms 73:3-5,12 Malachi 3:15 Proverbs 14:14 John 3:36 Faithlessness results in judgment See also Psalms 73:17-18,27Malachi 4:1 Mark 16:16 John 8:24 2 Thessalonians 2:12 Revelation 21:8 Isaiah 31:1 Faithlessness among the Jews See also Their failure to trust God for deliverance Isaiah 22:8-11; 30:1-2,12-13John 12:37-38 See also Their rejection of the gospel Isaiah 53:1John 3:11-12; 5:37-40; 8:45; 10:25-26 Matthew 13:58 Specific examples Matthew 19:21-22pp Mk 6:5-6 the people of Nazareth pp Mk 10:21-22 Acts 28:24pp Lk 18:22-23 the rich young ruler 1 Timothy 1:13Many Jews reject Paul's ministry in Rome Matthew 21:43Paul's own persecution of the church arose from unbelief in Jesus Christ. See also Israel's estrangement from God Psalms 118:22Matthew 21:41 Romans 9:32-33 pp Mk 12:9 Romans 11:17-21The acceptance of the Gentiles Romans 11:5The Jews' rejection of the gospel opens the way for Gentiles to be incorporated into the people of God, represented here as branches grafted onto a cultivated olive tree. Israel's faithlessness is partial and temporary Romans 11:11-12,23-27Though the people as a whole have rejected Jesus Christ, a faithful remnant remains God's purpose for the faithful of Israel is their ultimate salvation. Matthew 14:30-31Faithlessness among believers See also Lack of faith is rebuked Matthew 6:30-32Matthew 8:24-26 pp Lk 12:28-30 worrying about food and clothing pp Mk 4:38-40 Matthew 17:17-20pp Lk 8:23-25 Fear during a storm at sea pp Mk 9:17-19 pp Lk 9:40-42 Matthew 16:8-10inability to cast out a demon Causes of faithlessness Luke 24:25failure to learn from the lessons of the past See also failure to accept teaching that has been given 1310 God as judge2309 Christ as judge 6172 guilt 7141 people of God, OT 8711 covenant breakers 8718 disobedience 8721 doubt 8727 enemies 8834 unbelief |
    |