I have intentionally made the topic rather vague to bring out the two aspects of condemnation. There are two, distinct condemnations mentioned in Scripture. The first condemnation is called 'positional' condemnation. This is given to each person born into the world. In other words, it is the condemnation of being "in Adam." See Romans 5 for the contrast between Christ and Adam's positional truth. God condemns each person who enters this world with positional condemnation (i.e., in Adam). With this positional condemnation, we are immediately born qualified to be the recipients of God's grace and mercy. This is illustrated in Rom 11.32.
The other condemnation is 'eternal' condemnation. This is what happens when a person rejects Christ as Savior, see Matt 12.37. A person is eternally condemned by rejecting Jesus as Savior. It is by his words that he is condemned. The important thing to remember is nobody is born eternally condemned, only positional condemnation. As an illustration of this, see 2 Sam 12. David's new born child died and went to Paradise. This is why David says he will see his son again, because there is no basic for the child's eternal condemnation, only positional condemnation.
Another important point to bring out is that unbelievers are not eternally condemned for their personal sins. All sins were paid for by Christ on the Cross. That is why the gospel is the good news to unbelievers. The issue is no longer sin, but a Son. Go to any judgment passage for believers or unbelievers, you will not see the word sin mentioned. For the believer, he goes to the Rewards Ceremony (mistranslated Judgment Seat of Christ) after being rewarded for his works. For the unbeliever, he goes to the Lake of Fire based on his works (his works will not get him into heaven). Not by works of righteousness which we have done...
I will reread this post after I get back tonight. Didn't have time to edit it yet.
The basis for the unbeliever's condemnation in Scripture is rooted primarily in their
rejection of God and refusal to believe in the gospel of Jesus Christ. Several key aspects are drawn from biblical texts to outline this condemnation:
Rejection of Christ: One of the central reasons for condemnation is the rejection of Jesus Christ, who is presented as the only way to salvation. In John 3:18, the text emphasizes that unbelievers are condemned already because they have not believed in the name of the Son of God: “Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.” Faith in Christ is the primary requirement for avoiding condemnation.
Rejection of God's Revelation: The condemnation of the unbeliever also stems from their refusal to acknowledge and respond to God's general revelation in creation. Romans 1:18-20 highlights that God's invisible attributes and divine nature have been made clear through creation, so people are without excuse. Those who suppress the truth revealed in nature fall under God’s wrath.
Willful Sin and Disobedience: Hebrews 10:26-27 shows that deliberate sin after knowing the truth results in severe judgment. Unbelief often translates into ongoing disobedience and rebellion against God's commands, which leads to the righteous judgment of God.
Failure to Repent: According to Luke 13:3, Jesus emphasizes the necessity of repentance: "Unless you repent, you will all likewise perish." Unbelievers who refuse to turn away from sin and embrace the message of repentance will face judgment.
Living in Darkness: John 3:19-20 explains that condemnation arises because people love darkness rather than light. They prefer their sinful deeds over coming to the light, which would expose and challenge their behavior. This preference for darkness and sin results in spiritual blindness and separation from God.
Thus, unbelief, rejection of Christ, refusal to repent, and suppression of God's truth are the core reasons for the unbeliever's condemnation according to Scripture. The New Testament repeatedly emphasizes that faith in Jesus Christ is the only means by which one can avoid condemnation and receive eternal life (John 3:36).
J.